The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers last week presented its annual environmental and organic achievement awards, at the Mansion House in London.
The Fruiterers were hosted by Rt Hon The Lord Mayor, Alderman Michael Oliver.
Winners of the Company's fourth environmental awards, sponsored by Marks & Spencer, were divided into three classes – crop production, crop protection and packaging: • Production: Phillip Davies & Son, Claston, Hereford – for 'an outstanding entry which, through its clear commitment to preserving and enhancing wildlife habitats and providing a biomass project whilst innovating crop production, demonstrated where UK agriculture has to be in the 21st century.' This was also the overall winning entry in the environmental section of the awards.
• Protection: Flamingo Holdings, based in Kenya – for 'the company's total commitment to reducing pesticide usage with real conviction and investment by exploiting natural enemies of pests. Its reduction of chemical usage over the past three years has been quite dramatic.' The judges also highly commended the entry from Kettle Produce, Cupar, Fife, for the system it has developed for protecting swedes and turnips against pests.
• Packaging: Green Mater Ltd, Ilmington, Warwickshire – 'In partnership with Novamont, an Italian company, they have developed, through an energy-efficient production system, a biodegradable product (Mater B1) made entirely from corn starch which can be used in a variety of packaging options for food and unrelated products.' The Company's first organic achievement award for outstanding achievement in organic horticultural production, sponsored by Waitrose, went to Blaencamel Farm, Cardigan, Wales.
Past master Tony Redsell said: 'Blaencamel Farm has been a leading light in horticultural production since being certified for organic production in 1974. They have shown a great use of science in all their thinking and have been innovative in their techniques for introducing new products. They have also been very active in including the local community in their activities.' Second prize was awarded to Russell Smith Farms, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, whose commitment to organic production was considered by the judges to be 'a beacon to all conventional farmers who have an inclination to try organic production.' Also highly commended in the organic category was the entry of the Organic Apple Consortium, led by Mr Adrian Barlow, for the work it had carried out on pest and disease management.
The Lord Mayor offered his congratulations to all the winners and his thanks to the sponsors 'without whom there would be no presentations'.
He added: 'I also congratulate the Master of the Fruiterers and his Company for supporting so effectively, through these awards, work on environmental issues that is important – not only to this country in general but also to the City of London specifically.' In a ceremony dating back to the Middle Ages, the Fruiterers discharged their annual dues and obligations to the City as Master Anthony Turnbull presented 12 bushels of fruit to the Lord Mayor.
The Company's fruit porter, Nobby Price, declared the bushel of apples and pears at the ceremony 'the best that could be found' before the Lord Mayor and the Master drank the traditional loving cups.
The Lord Mayor kindly donated the remaining fruit to the Company's programme of fruit distribution to the needy within the City of London.
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