Five farm shops, a farmers’ market and a pick-your-own farm were among the winners celebrating their success as winners in the eighth annual farm retailer awards from the National Farmers’ Retail and Markets Association (FARMA).

This year’s national award winners were announced on at the sector’s biggest event, the Farm & More conference in Telford.

The FARMA awards are peer-assessed and the winners were chosen on their food and customer service, as well as their marketing, management and retailing skills. Commitment to environmentally sound farming and food production methods were also considered.

This year’s award winners included Farm Retailer of the Year Farmer Copleys, Beadlam Grange farm shop landed the FARMA Environmental Award, Beadlam Grange farm shop garnered the Best New Farm Shop award and Garsons PYO, Esher, Surrey won Best Pick-your-own.

Mike Blee, former farm retailer and chairman of the judges, said: “Every year the standard of these awards gets higher and the competition tougher. The winners of the FARMA Awards 2010 have worked hard to be where they are; when the going got tough, they just got going to change, develop and improve their businesses, creating new ventures and building skills. Farm retailing is a challenging industry but it is one that is still bursting with opportunities.

“Businesses that get it right reap the rewards that come from being highly professional, unique and above all driven to provide the very best for their customers.”

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