Guy Watson, founder of Riverford, has been named best organic farmer at the Soil Association's BOOM (Best of the Organic Market) Awards this week.
At the ceremony in London's Borough Market, Watson won the award for his work in building up Riverford to the point where it now delivers 47,000 veg boxes a week to homes around the UK from its regional farms.
The Best of Organic Fresh Produce prize went to Maddocks Farm Organics for its flower salad, beating off competition from The Organic Pantry's purple sprouting broccoli and Bothen Hill's asparagus.
Another notable winner from the fresh produce sector was The Tomato Stall, which won Best Organic Chilled & Frozen Product for its Organic Oak Smoked Isle of Wight Tomatoes with Extra Virgin Oil.
In the retailer categories, Waitrose was named best organic supermarket, Ocado collected the award for Best Organic Large Online Retailer and Better Food got the nod for Best Organic Independent Retailer.
In total awards were handed out in 23 categories, including a consumer choice award open to nominations from the public.
Soil Association Certification business development director Clare McDermott said:“It’s a positive time for organic. There are now more than 8,000 stores nationwide that stock organic products, from supermarkets to independents to coffee shops and high street restaurants.
'That growth is reflected in these awards as well, with more entries year on year and a threefold increase in votes for the Nation’s Favourite. The BOOMs are such an exciting way to showcase the fantastic array of organic products now available. Congratulations to all our winners.”
