Here at Local Food Britain, we are delighted to have teamed up with the Quality Food Awards, the Oscars of the food and drink world, to bring our members a special offer on the entry price for this year's event. In short, the first 20 Local Food Britain members who contact us to apply for this year’s awards will receive a 10% discount on the entry price - but be sure to get in quick as the final closing date is June 30. First, though, here we explain a few of the many benefits of entering the awards - particularly for small, independent producers and retailers. Wishing all our members the best of luck!
So what are the Quality Food Awards?
The Quality Food Awards are the food and drink industry’s most prestigious product awards. Described as ‘the Oscars for food producers and retailers’, the awards have been around for almost 40 years. The Quality brand also has food-service awards for catering products, the Good Choice! awards for healthier choice products and Local Shop awards for own label and wholesale products. The blue ‘Q’ is recognised as a mark of quality wherever it is seen.
Why should I enter?
It is your opportunity to get your products in front of respected independent industry judges and, as a small producer, you get an opportunity to ensure that buyers from the Co-op see your entry and, if shortlisted, you get to present your product to them in person. Every entry also gets valuable feedback from the knowledgeable judging panel to help with product development.
Aren’t these awards just for the big boys, the supermarkets and such-like?
Not at all. There is a dedicated Small Producer entry channel that has huge benefits for businesses that have fewer than 10 staff and turnover of £2 million or below. As a small producer, you will get extra support from our awards partners. The Co-op are partnering with the Quality Food Awards to find new local suppliers and award-winners will get a listing at the Co-op – and, don’t worry, you don’t have to supply the entire nationwide supermarket; they will work with you to supply your local Co-op to the level that you can comfortably do so. Shortlisted small producers get a detailed consumer marketing report from VYPR and receive media training on how to present at a Dragons’ Den style presentation to Co-op executives. On that day, finalists will also have a chance to have a pop-up stand at the Co-op headquarters atrium – a great opportunity to meet buyers and senior executives. Finally, the shortlisted finalists will enjoy mingling with the great and the good of the UK food and drink industry at the awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, on November 9.
What happens if I win?
Well, apart from the beautiful Q trophy you’d get on the night, you get a day at Cactus Kitchens (the creative kitchen space located above the set of Saturday Kitchen Live and home to The Michel Roux Jr Cookery School) for innovation testing and product development with Tastemakers, the award-winning food and beverage innovators. You also get PR support for your brand and a whole year’s worth of coverage on Simply Good Food TV. Most importantly, you’ll have earned the right to use the Q winner logo on pack and in all marketing collateral. This is universally recognised by the food retailing industry as a mark of excellence.
I can enter other awards for a lot less money – why should I go for the Quality Food Awards?
Other awards may be cheaper but they don’t have the same prestige as the Quality Food Awards. The Q is much harder to earn and is not as common as other logos on pack. It is a real mark of differentiation between you and your competitors. Plus, as a small producer, you get a whopping £335 saving on each entry. The small producer fee is just £119 + VAT (standard entry fee is £454 + VAT).
Okay, I’m convinced – where do I enter?
Register your interest simply by getting in touch with us here at the Local Food Britain office – and, if you’re one of the first 20 people to contact us, you will also benefit from an extra 10% off! Simply give our team a call on 01737 823208.
- For more information on entering the awards, check out the links below…
B2B site: http://qualityfoodawards.com/
Consumer site: http://www.qualityfoodanddrink.com/
Tags: awards
