Food Northwest Awards 2008
‘CELEBRATING A CULTURE OF SUCCESS’
Food and drink companies from across the Northwest celebrated in style at the third annual Food Northwest Awards 2008,held on Thursday 19th June at the Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre.
The awards recognised the innovations, best practice initiatives and achievements of businesses across Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside. Acknowledging companies from all areas of the industry, including food retail and service, wholesale, distribution, food processing and agriculture.
An organic growing project that supports people with mental health problems; a family run-farm; a dairy that produces ‘welfare milk’ and a food manufacturer that has reduced its landfill waste by more than 50 per cent are just some of the winners.
Kendal’s Growing Well, an organic project that is run by volunteers won the Northwest Organic Centre Award for Sustainable Farming and Food, while farmer John Geldard and the Plumgarths Hub, also based in Kendal, won the DWF Award for the Outstanding Contribution within the Northwest. The Hub works within the local food chain to deliver traceable, high quality produce to meet demand and links regional producers with major chains such as ASDA.
The Contented Cow Company, based in Nantwich, Cheshire, won the Manson Insurance Award for Innovation, for its traditionally produced milk with high production values and ethics.
Ellesmere Port-pased Gibsons Foods won the Barclays Commercial Environmental Award, following a series of environmental initiatives, including reducing its landfill waste by more than 50 per cent. The company also scooped the Learning and Skills Council Award for its commitment to training.
Meanwhile, The Port of Lancaster Smokehouse was Highly Commended in the Manson Insurance Award for Innovation category, for its partnership with Haverigg Prison. The smokehouse, which aims to create eight jobs, gives inmates the chance to become fully qualifed and certified in the trade, teaching them a traditional range of skills right through the process, including where the fish has come from and how it is caught, through to filleting, curing, presentation and marketing, alongside hygiene and safety.
The winners of the awards were announced at a gala dinner at the Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre, with a focus on the theme ‘Celebrating a Culture of Success’, reflecting Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture status for 2008. The dinner was hosted by Lucy Meacock of Granada TV, and speakers included Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive of IGD.
Pat Foreman, chief executive of Food Northwest, said: “The standard of this year’s entries has been very impressive and we are delighted with the response from the industry, which has been overwhelming. The winners are truly deserving of their awards and demonstrate the excellence and expertise of the region’s flourishing food industry.”
The Northwest has one of the largest food and drink sectors in the UK, contributing £9.5 billion to the local economy, employing over 450,000 people and providing more than 12 per cent of the region’s income. The sector has been identified by the Northwest Regional Development Agency, (NWDA) as a priority growth sector within the Regional Economic Strategy.
