29 June 2009, 14:15 PM
  • A string of speciality food enterprises were short-listed for the Food Northwest Awards 2009, announced in Manchester last Thursday (25th June)

“The award ceremony acknowledges the superb achievements, despite the difficult economic conditions, of some of the best food and drink companies in the UK,” says Mark Hughes, executive director of economic development for the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

Liverpool delicatessen, Delifonseca won the award for Small and Medium Sized Businesses.  “We are thrilled to win this award - it has been an exciting year for us,” says Candice Fonseca, proprietor (pictured second left). 

“We are delighted to be recognised for our achievements by our industry peers and are looking forward to a successful year ahead,” she adds. The shop specialises in local and regional produce.

Businesses which also won awards include:

* Michelle McKenna, for the first National Jam Week.
* Dewlay cheese company, for trying to use its own wind turbine to power the factory.
* The Moody Baker, for setting up a ‘hub’ to help local businesses save money and have less impact on the environment.

The catering department at Wirral University Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust were also acknowledged for putting locally-sourced milk on the menu.

The Northwest has one of the largest food and drink sectors in the UK, contributing £9.5 billion to the local economy, employing over 450,000 people and providing more than 12% of the region’s income. 

The sector has been identified by the NWDA as a priority growth sector within the Regional Economic Strategy.