Scotty Brand and Swithenbank were the biggest winners at Re:fresh 2013, with both companies picking up multiple awards at last night’s gala event.
Scotty Brand was named It’sFresh Overall Produce Trader of the Year at the awards at the Intercontinental Hotel in London, with judges recognising the business’s success in rapidly building a brand that offers smaller growers a route to market.
Scotty Brand had earlier collected the FPC award for Business Excellence in the turnover under £50m category, as well as the Prophet Marketing Campaign trophy in recognition of its tie up with Disney’s kids’ movie Brave.
Swithenbank also collected a haul of three trophies on the night, a reflection of the company’s efforts to turn around the business and put it on a path to success.
Swithenbank’s Jane Stewart was named MorePeople Manager of the Year, while the company claimed the Business Excellence award in the turnover over £50m category and the FPJ Best Place to Work gong.
Elsewhere, Morrisons’ Caroline Wallace was recognised for her work in helping the supermarket develop its direct-sourcing model with the MorePeople Young Person of the Year award.
The Fesa/Anecoop Innovation award went to Food Forensics for its groundbreaking work in developing a scientific method for checking the provenance of fruit and vegetables.
The Lea Valley Growers Association, which created the Great British Cucumber Festival, took home the FPC Collaboration Award, while Branston came out victorious in the FPJ CSR Award.
In the retailer categories, sponsored by QV Foods, up-and-coming store Rhubarb & Bramley took the prize in the independent category, Iceland’s recent work in putting a new emphasis on fresh produce earned it the nod in the convenience section, while Waitrose proved itself to be a shopper favourite by walking off with the best multiple retailer award, which was voted for this year by a Mumsnet consumer panel.
Dick Brighten, who has had a long and successful career in the fruit trade, was recognised for his contribution with the Florette Lifetime Achievement Award.
Chairman of the judges, Nigel Jenney, said: “Congratulations to all the winners and finalists. The standard of entries has never been higher.”
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