Foodservice provider Fresh Direct was named the Wholesale Fruit and Veg Supplier of the Year at the recent Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) Awards.
More than 700 suppliers were competing for top honour at the prestigious awards.
“It is fantastic to be recognised by our peers for the job we’re doing,” Andy Pembroke, Managing Director of Fresh Direct. “Over the past few years, we’ve worked hard to bridge the gap between our suppliers and our customers, bringing everyone together to become much more responsive across the supply chain.”
The panel of judges lauded Fresh Direct’s efforts through difficult times for the produce industry, commenting that “Fresh Direct has stood tall during unprecedented challenges with its unwavering support and crucial lines of communication for growers, customers, and employees alike.”
Pembroke, who received the award from restaurant critic Jay Rayner, talked about that work over the past year.
“We believe that this award recognises our incredibly talented team and shows how we’ve built our business to source products more sustainably, champion home-produced products through our best of British campaign, drive innovation through products and packaging, and a continued commitment to product quality and availability,” he said.
Other winners
Multiple Fruit and Veg Retailer of the Year: Aldi
Multiple Floral Retailer of the Year: M&S
Convenience Retailer of the Year: Co-op
Online Fruit and Veg Retailer of the Year: Asda
Supermarket Fruit and Veg Supplier of Year: AC Goatham
UK Grower of the Year: FreshGro
International Grower of the Year: Belorta
Fresh Produce Business of the Year: Flamingo Group International for its work in the floral industry as the Winner of Winners in the Supply, Chain, Retail and Business Excellence categories.
Rising Star of the Year: Ravi Burugu, Wootzano
Manager of the Year: Emma Dawes, Driscoll’s
Best Place to Work: Blue Skies, which also won the Ethical Award from FPC
Supply Chain Award (Sustainability Excellence): Clarifruit
Agritech Excellence Award (Innovation): Sony
Innovation Excellence Award: G’s Growers
Wholesaler/Plant Supplier of the Year: The Horthouse
Supermarket/Plant Floral Supplier of the Year: Flamingo Horticulture
Foodservice Supplier of the Year: Mark Murphy Edinburgh
Climate Award: Growup Farms
Business Service Provider: Smurfit Kappa
Team of the Year: MorePeople
HR Initiative of the Year (DEI): Dole UK
Lifetime Achievement Award: Martin Hudson
