BEST RURAL FOOD AND DRINK BUSINESS
This award will celebrate innovative food & drink businesses, brands or products, that are leading the way and pushing the boundaries of what being a ‘traditional’ British producer, supplier or retailer means. With a commitment to promoting ‘The Best of British’, using sustainable quality ingredients and skills based approaches to production as well as developing a commercially successful business this award will highlight some of the innovative up and coming stars of the rural food & drink sector as well as those who continue to make traditional produce into sustainable business.
The winning individual will be able to clearly demonstrate the following:
• A well articulated business strategy
• Strong business and financial results
• Demonstration of the achievement of the aims and objectives A clear understanding of the market and customers to whom the business is selling
• A clear understanding of the market and customers to whom the business is selling
• That where possible they use local or sustainably sourced ingredients and/ or produce
• Uniqueness in offering – what sets the business apart from the competition
• Availability for sale in the UK
• A platform for continued commercial success
• Customer and staff engagement
• Effective leadership, operation and management • An ethical approach to business
The entry criteria provided act as a guide only. If you are unsure what to include or how to present it, please contact the RBA office.
We’re looking for a business to sponsor this category.
You can download our sponsorship pack by clicking the link below or if you have any queries please contact one of the founders. Sometimes businesses are looking for something specific. If this is the case we are here to help.
Finalists 2017
Cobbs Farm Co. Ltd
BEST RURAL FOOD & DRINK BUSINESS FINALIST 2017
Founded in 2007 out of a passion for supplying quality food with provenance; we’ve grown our group to seven farm shops featuring cafés and other foodie additions (butchery counter, fishmongers, delicatessen counters, artisanal floristry, giftware) The 55 acre Cobbs Farm, is proud to supply the group with home-grown soft fruits and asparagus as well as boast an 8 acre vineyard that produces Internationally award-winning English Sparkling Wine.
Cowdray Farm Shop Ltd
BEST RURAL FOOD & DRINK BUSINESS FINALIST 2017
Cowdray Farm Shop and Cafe are purveyors of fine foods from the UK and around the world. We source locally where possible and much of our produce comes from the wider Cowdray Estate. We also have a cafe attached which showcases the best of our produce.
Jolly Nice Ltd
BEST RURAL FOOD & DRINK BUSINESS FINALIST 2017
Jolly Nice is an innovative farmshop and café that has transformed a derelict petrol station into a sustainable community hub and foodie destination in rural Gloucestershire. Run by a farming family, Jolly Nice is an outlet for our home produced rare breed free range pork, reared in our woodland at home, our grass fed Shorthorn beef and our award winning home made ice cream using seasonal and the very best quality ingredients in recipes devised by eldest daughter Harriet.
Mash Direct
BEST RURAL FOOD & DRINK BUSINESS FINALIST 2017
Mash Direct is an independent company started by Martin and Tracy Hamilton at their family-run farm in Comber, in 2004. With six generations of farming expertise, Mash Direct grow classic and traditional British vegetables that are steam cooked using bespoke ovens on-site in the farm’s factories for the delicious taste and texture of homemade food.
T.Soanes & Son Poultry
BEST RURAL FOOD & DRINK BUSINESS FINALIST 2017
Founded by Tom Soanes as a farm-based business in 1947, T.Soanes & Son is a family owned business which has been rearing and preparing poultry in Yorkshire for 70 years. We rear over 5 million birds per year on our 11 Yorkshire Wolds farms and sell our premium chicken to butchers, restaurateurs and independent retailers in Yorkshire and to wholesalers nationwide.
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0116 380 0525
office@ruralbusinessawards.co.uk
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HALL OF FAME
Keelham Farm Shop
WINNER: BEST FOOD & DRINK BUSINESS 2016
A Skipton based company supporting local producers by selling great food, and runs innovative projects like the Veg Exchange Scheme and weekly shopper-hopper.
The Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company
WINNER: BEST RURAL FOOD & DRINK PRODUCT OR BRAND 2015
Entry Guidelines
Download the full list of categories and entry guidelines here.
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