The Farm Shop & Deli show is set to return to the NEC, Birmingham from 16-18 April 2018 – with more than 450 companies predicted to exhibit.

Visitors to the show will be able to hear about the latest industry trends and listen to presentations from leading figures in the UK’s food industry. They will also be able to benefit from live demonstrations and tastings.

Yorkshire Baker, Bontà Italia and Cotswold Fayre are among the companies that have confirmed they will be exhibiting for 2018. The show said that the range of exhibitors from the speciality sector, such as bakers and butchers, would be able to source their produce to “fuel growth throughout 2018”.

Some of the highlights from the show will include the Farm Shop & Deli awards. Running for its fifth consecutive year, a panel of judges – including food and drink broadcaster Nigel Barden – will score stores on levels of service, innovation and community involvement in speciality retail. Category and regional winners will be revealed at the show on Monday 16 April, as well as the overall Farm Shop & Deli Retailer of the Year.

Also returning to the trade show next year will be Britain’s Best Loaf competition.

Awards will be presented to bakers that excel in the following categories: Sourdough, Wholegrain, White, Innovation and Gluten Free. Seasons Bakery’s Beetroot Multiseed Sourdough loaf was declared Britain’s Best Loaf at this year’s show.

“Artisan food continues to be one of the success stories of the UK food and drink industry,” said Dan Eversfield, commercial manager for the Farm Shop & Deli show. “Farm Shop & Deli Show will showcase the very best products that our country has to offer, providing invaluable inspiration for businesses in the UK and further afield.”

Farm Shop & Deli Show is co-located with the UK’s largest food and drink trade event – Food & Drink Expo –National Convenience Show and Foodex, as well as the new The Ingredients Show.