The quest is on to find cutting-edge innovators in the UK food and drink supply chain, who are revolutionising the way food is grown, produced, processed, delivered or sold.
Now in its third year, The BBC Farming Today Future Food Award is dedicated to uncovering pioneering work that is transforming food supply chains. The award is open to any business that is breaking new ground in the supply chain.
Whether it’s new thinking from food and drink manufacturers, farmers, national retailers or distribution companies, the judges are looking for pioneering ideas that promise to significantly improve some aspect of the UK food and farming industry. It could be innovation that cuts food waste, boosts efficiency, minimises environmental impacts, benefits health or improves food traceability and security.
Food production, distribution and retail
To qualify, the ideas must be scalable, commercially viable and applicable to food production, distribution and retail in the UK.
Previous winners include the subterranean salad producer Growing Underground last year and the Sheffield dairy Our Cow Molly in 2016, the year the category was launched.
Nominating a business or individual for all the awards is straightforward. Simply fill out the online nomination form, ahead of the deadline on January 29. The judges will be looking for evidence of how nominated enterprises are already improving the food and drink supply chain and how they could be repeated elsewhere.
Food and drink supply chain
The BBC Farming Today Future Food Award is one of a series of awards dedicated to celebrating the achievements of individuals who are making a powerful contribution to the food and drink industry both at home and abroad. Categories open for public nomination include: Best Food Producer, Best Drinks Producer and Best Shop or Market. See the full list of awards in the box below.
Head judge, chef, TV and radio broadcaster, Andi Oliver said: “There’s been something of a revolution in recent years. People are taking a leap of faith [in the British food and farming industry]. Going to find them is dream time.”
Oliver added that the BBC Food and Farming Awards celebrated “ordinary people doing extraordinary things”. Listen to the launch of the awards on BBC Radio 4’s The Food Programme.
BBC Food and Farming Awards 2018
Best Food Producer
- Open to anyone who produces food – whether it’s cheese, ham or butter, condiments or cakes.
Best Drinks Producer
- From pioneering brewers and cider makers to traditional distillers, wine or juice producers, this award celebrates new ideas in the drinks world.
Best Street Food or Takeaway Award
- This award recognises street-level cooks selling great value, freshly-made meals prepared with high quality ingredients.
BBC Farming Today Future Food Award
- Celebrating innovation in the UK food and drink supply chain, this category highlights ground-breaking ideas that could revolutionise how food is produced, prepared, distributed or sold. The winner could be a national retailer or small or large manufacturer with big ideas about the future of food.
Countryfile’s Farming Heroes Award 2018
- BBC One’s Countryfile is searching for farmers who are an inspiration to the industry; whether its pioneering innovative practices, working with wildlife, or protecting the landscape.
Best Shop or Market
- This category rewards shops and markets that offer their customers a special experience, unbeatable service, true expertise and an involvement with the whole community.
BBC Cook of the Year
- A quest to reveal the unsung heroes cooking in community centres, hospitals, schools, care homes and universities, this award recognises the achievement of those who are revitalising a public place or institution through food.
Nominations will remain open until 29 January. Meanwhile, awards not open for public nomination include the BBC World Service Global Food Champion Award and the Points West Bristol Food Hero Award. The Derek Cooper Outstanding Achievement Award will be chosen by the BBC Food and Farming Award judges.