As the ‘freefrom’ food sector continues to mushroom (scheduled to hit a half billion pound turnover by 2017*), so do the FreeFrom Food Awards, just launching into their ninth super successful year!
Last year nearly 500 entries, from one man/woman operations to multi-national food companies, fought it out for the coveted ‘Marble Mo’ bust (see below) which goes, for one year only, to the winner of the Best FreeFrom Food Product. How many entrants will there be this year?
Said Michelle Berriedale-Johnson, director of the awards:
“As freefrom spreads into every sector of our eating experience, so the awards grow and grow – no fewer than 19 categories this year! These include a new, dedicated health-aware raw foods category and a superfood and sports drinks category. And, to encourage more of those vibrant mini start ups, we have a new Small Producer Award whose winner will receive mentoring from sponsors’ Tesco’s technical and marketing experts.”
Antony Worrall Thompson, chef-patron of the awards, comments:
“These awards are fantastic for bringing the ‘freefrom’ idea to the public’s knowledge – and for proving that ‘freefrom’ food can not just be good, but be excellent”’
- Entry for the awards opens on 16th September
- A shortlist will be published in mid February 2016
- The presentations will take place on April 26th 2016
New categories for 2016:
- Small Producer Award – Restricted to companies who have been in business for a maximum of 2 years.(sponsored by Tesco)
- Raw foods – anything from coconut oil to raw banoffee pie or superfood truffles! (sponsored by Genon Laboratories)
- Superfoods, sports supplement and drinks (sponsored by Tiana Fair Trade Organics)
Successful new categories from 2015:
- Meaty and fishy ready meals (sponsored by Mrs Crimbles)
- Veggie ready meals (sponsored by Goodness Direct)
- Tea Time (sponsored by Integrated Food Projects)
- Confectionery – chocolates and sweets (sponsored by Free From Market)
- Snack Bars (sponsored by Holland & Barrett)
- Retailer of the Year (sponsored by Oakland International)
Much loved and well established categories:
- Breakfast – cereals, yogurts and ‘milks’ and baked goods (sponsored by Asda)
- Breads (sponsored by Udi’s)
- Desserts and Puddings (sponsored by Romer Labs)
- Food to go and for vending machines (sponsored by Tesco)
- Store cupboard (sponsored by Genius Gluten Free)
- Pasta and Pizza (sponsored by Gluten Free Cuppa Tea)
- Foods suitable for peanut and nut allergics (sponsored by Wellaby’s)
- The Innovation Award (sponsored by Food Matters Live)
and the ever popular
- Children’s food category (sponsored by Delamere Dairy)
For more information click here
Twitter @FFFoodAwards – hashtag #FFFA16 – and Facebook page