FSD awards judging

Source: William Reed

If you produce a standout product for the specialist food and drink market, then now is your time to shine!

Entries are now open for the 2023 Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards, which are designed to highlight and reward the best the specialist food market has to offer.

Open only to products sold in farm shops, delis and other specialist food retailers, the awards are judged by independent retailers, wholesaler buyers and other industry experts. Leading retailers and wholesalers are supporting the event, including Booths, Cotswold Fayre, Diverse Fine Foods, Kitchen Food Co and Thyme and Tides.

“The awards are highly valued in the industry,” said Nicki Stewart, director at Diverse Fine Food. “As distributors we are always sourcing, and this is the perfect platform to view and taste new, innovative artisan products.”

Booths marketing and trading head John Gill added: “We are constantly on the lookout for great tasting, emerging products and we actively review the winners of these awards with a view to potentially stocking them within our stores.”

The judging process will examine criteria including value and branding, along with taste, to ensure winning products not only taste great but should also perform well on shelf. Entrants will receive a feedback report following the judging. 

The deadline for entries is Friday 17 February 2023, with this year’s awards judged across eleven categories: Beverages, Chilled & Frozen Desserts, Chilled Deli, Condiments & Sauces, Fermented & Smoked Foods, Meat, Non-Food, Plant-Based, Preserves, Savoury Biscuits & Snacks and Sweet Bakery & Confectionery.

Ambient products will be judged in March, with winners announced throughout April in the build-up to the Farm Shop & Deli Show, which takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 24 to 26 April 2023.

Chilled or frozen products will be judged at the Farm Shop & Deli Show on Monday 24 April 2023, with winners announced live on stage that afternoon.

“We are delighted to announce the return of the Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards for a second year,” said Giorgio Rigali, head of communications for exhibitions at Farm Shop & Deli Show organiser William Reed. “Farm shops are the heartbeat of local communities, and these awards celebrate the incredible range of local, high-quality products they have to offer.”

To enter the awards or to register for the show, visit the Farm Shop & Deli Show website

The Farm Shop & Deli Show is part of the UK Food & Drink Shows, run by William Reed.