The Re:fresh Capespan Wholesaler of the Year award went to Bristol Fruit Sales (BFS) for the quality of its produce, the quality of its people, and the level of re-investment in its business.
The largest fresh produce wholesaler in the south-west of England and South Wales encompasses the traditional wholesale businesses of BFS (Market), Redbridge (Bristol) and the Total Produce Wholesale businesses in Bristol and Cardiff, as well as foodservice businesses BFS Direct (Bristol), BFS Direct (Cornwall), Redbridge (Bristol) and Total Produce (Cardiff).
The forward-thinking company has enhanced its reputation of being more than a traditional wholesaler by opening an importing desk in the last 12 months, to take advantage of its relationships with long-standing suppliers to target sales within the rest of the UK wholesale sector.
Another major venture in 2008 was the launch of Growfair - Pride of Cornwall, an over-arching brand to increase the recognition of locally grown produce and deliver more consistent returns to growers in Cornwall. Every grower involved in year one of the scheme has asked to supply more in year two and more are requesting to join the scheme, which is creating new avenues to market for Cornish produce across the UK wholesale network. Growfair schemes will be launched in Devon and South Wales this year, as the scheme blossoms.
Leeds wholesaler Gilbert Thompson and Premier Fruits of New Covent Garden Market were also up for the award.
