The award was made at the FDA group’s 10th president’s dinner held at the House of Commons last month. It was presented by food minister George Eustice.
“We give this award on an annual basis to a company or organisation that we believe has excelled in marketing over the past 12 months,” said John Giles, chairman of CIM's FDA Group.
Exceeded the criteria
“Gressingham won this year for exceeding all the criteria we set this includes success in both retail and foodservice markets, the development of a strong supply chain, a high degree of innovation, a strong sense of corporate social responsibility, a proven track record of achievement over time and the development of a well-recognised brand.”
Receiving the award on behalf of Gressingham Foods, md William Buchanan remarked: “We are delighted and very proud to receive this prestigious award from CIM. We have worked hard to develop a brand that can help grow the duck category as a whole, in the face of huge competition from much larger categories.”
Buchanan added: “Our aim is to encourage more people to cook with duck and more restaurants to add it to their menu.”
Change attitude
Many consumers lacked the confidence to cook with duck and it was Buchanan’s ambition to change this attitude with further promotional activity in the future.
Past winners of the CIM FDA’s award have included Samworth Brothers, chocolate firm Green & Black, Pink Lady Apples, the Fairtrade Foundation, Long Clawson Dairy and Dorset Cereals.