Sainsbury's wins Organic Supermarket of the Year

Sainsbury's wins organic supermarket of the year

Sainsbury's has won the Soil Association's Organic Supermarket of the Year award for the third successive year, reiterating the company's position at the forefront of the organic market. The award was presented at a prestigious ceremony at the Organic Products Show in Olympia last night.

Sainsbury's was chosen as winner by a panel of nine expert judges who conducted fact-finding visits to stores, an opinion poll of shoppers and a confidential supplier survey to reach their final decision. Sainsbury's performed consistently well across all eight judging categories - quality and choice; UK and local sourcing; ethical trading; the environment; animal welfare; customer satisfaction; value for money and consumer education.

Sainsbury's head of produce buying and organics, Tony Sullivan, says: "This is the most important organic award so we are delighted to have won again. I believe it is a true reflection of our commitment to organic food and farming and we will continue to strive to lead the way in this changing market by understanding and meeting our customers needs and focussing on integrity, quality and innovation."

Martin Cottingham, the Soil Association's Marketing Director, said: "Sainsbury's has won this award by putting a lot of thought and hard work into its organic strategy and by showing real commitment to high organic standards. Supermarkets are responsible for over 80 per cent of organic food sales in the UK.

"Their approaches and policies on quality, trading relationships and the environment will have a huge impact on the prospects for a more sustainable farming future."