Re:fresh winners crowned in night of celebration

The winners of the 2012 Re:fresh Awards were crowned at a glittering ceremony at London's Intercontinental Hotel last night.

Morrisons was named FPC Overall Produce Trader of the Year after earlier being triumphant in the QV Foods Multiple Retailer category.

Judges singled out the supermarket for its outstanding work in reinventing the fresh produce aisles through its Store of the Future concept, an initiative being rolled out nationwide in which fruit and veg is imaginatively displayed and sold using a wide range of 'retail theatre'.

In the individual categories, Jason Ram was named MorePeople Young Person of the Year for his impressive rise through the ranks at Dole Fresh UK.

The Florette Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Tom Hilliard OBE of Premier Direct Marketing. With a long and successful career in the London markets, Hilliard opened businesses on Spitalfields and Covent Garden markets, among others, before establishing Premier Direct Marketing. He was awarded an OBE for his charity work in 1993.

The other winners on the night were:

It'sFresh! 5 A DAY Supporter - Fruit For The Office

Fesa/Anecoop Innovation - Fresca Group, for its 'handy carry' citrus box

Prophet Marketing Campaign - Scotty Brand

FPJ Wholesaler - Gilbert Thompson (Leeds)

Fresh Convenience Regional Foodservice Supplier - Cook's Delights

FPC Packer - Worldwide Fruit

FPC Processor - Blue Skies

US Apple Export Council Importer - Scott Farms International

QV Foods & Fresh Approach Convenience Retailer - A F Blakemore & Son

QV Foods & Fresh Approach Independent Retailer - The Naked Grocer

Chairman of the judges and FPC CEO Nigel Jenney said: “With a record number of entries it was a tough job to select the winners - congratulations to everyone who took part in Re:fresh 2012. Innovation is vital to remain competitive and grow in the global environment. Re:fresh demonstrates fantastic commitment and achievement across our industry.”

For full details of the winners and finalists, see the Awards Brochure in this week's FPJ. For a full photo review and news from the Re:fresh Conference, see next week's FPJ.