14 September 2016, 14:25 PM

Great news - it’s not too late to enter the 2017 Farm Shop & Deli Awards…

The entry deadline for the 2017 Farm Shop & Deli Awards has been extended to 30 September 2016, so you still have time to enter these prestigious awards.


With only two weeks remaining, make sure you don’t miss out and enter today. It’s FREE to enter and there are opportunities to win one of the 12 Category awards, 9 Regional awards and coveted accolade ‘Farm Shop & Deli Retailer of the Year’.


Learn from the 2016 winners

The 2016 category, regional and overall winners have recently shared their experiences and advice on entering these awards, see just some of their comments below:


Why did you decide to enter these awards?

I feel very strongly that all independent retailers need a good platform to show off how good they are and what they can offer and the Farm Shop & Deli Awards, from previous experience, is the very best platform to do this.

We loved the fact that they were judged by such leading figures in the industry, and we were keen to get some feedback on how we were doing. It was fantastic to receive this recognition.

An award is an important accolade which gives confidence in what you do and how you do it. I entered because I felt it was time to remind our customers and townsfolk that we have the best farmers’ market in the country.


How did you feel when you found out you had won the award?

I was absolutely thrilled when Nigel Barden read out our name! We couldn’t have been more pleased and it felt very special to be recognised by such high profile judges.

I was delighted to find out we had won the best farmers’ market award as I had made a special effort to improve the way we do things after not winning the year before.

We were shocked and delighted. The team was thrilled to bits to be chosen as the winner amongst many successful businesses. It’s great to have our dedicated team’s hard work recognised and it has given the team a real boost.


What advice would you give to those considering entering in 2017?

Go for it!  The key is to get across what makes your place so special and different – thankfully the judges saw this in us.

If you have a great product, good service, fantastic product knowledge and passion for what you do then go for it! Who knows you could win your category once or even twice!

Highlight all of your strengths, beliefs & uniqueness, and be prepared for the undercover judges.

Anyone entering, has as much chance of winning as anyone else and you have nothing to lose but loads to gain!

Read more about their experiences and insights on the website.


What the judges look for

Every November finds Food & Drink Journalist/Broadcaster Nigel Barden, Chair of judges, and Food Writer and Co-chair of judges, Elaine Lemm joined by their team of judges, which includes experts from the world of speciality retail, fine food and food media, to evaluate the online entries and consumer votes for the Farm Shop & Deli Awards.

Faced with the high standard of entries they receive for category, regional and overall ‘Farm Shop & Deli Retailer of the Year’, it is a difficult task for them to whittle down the finalists before commencing their ‘secret visits’. 

Visit the website and watch the video to find out what they look for in an entry and what made Arthur Howell a worthy winner in 2016.


It’s not too late to celebrate your speciality – entry deadline extended!


Enter for free today and your business could be the star of the 2017 Farm Shop & Deli Awards.

It’s a fantastic way for specialist retailers in the food and drink sector to showcase all the great work you and your team are doing nationally and with your local customers. By entering you can raise your company profile, generate positive PR for your business and put your work and achievements in front of a highly regarded panel of judges.

Want to put your business in the spotlight? The deadline to enter these prestigious Awards has now been extended to Friday 30th September – and judges are seeking out ambitious artisan retailers just like you.