I’m fed up with talking about the weather, but I can console myself with the fact we have grabbed every opportunity so far and progress is not too bad.Farmers recognised for commitment to British food and farming
TWO Devonshire farmers who set up a producer group with their neighbours are celebrating after they were named ‘Best Producers’ at this year’s BBC Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards.
Peter and Henrietta Greig, of Pipers Farm in Cullompton in Devon, won the award at the ceremony held at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery last week.
Their group includes 30 local farmers all using traditional methods of rearing animals, slowly, on natural diets and in natural conditions.
The BBC award is just the latest in a string of prizes which have seen them rewarded for their innovation and their produce over the last 15 years.
The event, hosted by The Food Programme presenter Sheila Dillon, saw farmers and retailers from across the country rewarded for their commitment to British food and farming.
Dairy farmer Robert Wilson took the prestigious ‘Farmer of the Year’ award for his diversification into growing herbs, supplying major supermarkets with a steady supply of fresh herbs.
Entries to this year’s competition were judged by cookery writer and celebrity chef Sophie Grigson.
She said: “I think the Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards matter because they really are a chance to honour the work that people are doing to try to make our food better in this country – and heaven knows we need it!
“There's a long way to go but it's very exciting to see producers, shopkeepers, dinner ladies and campaigners all being celebrated.”
The award for Best Dinner Lady/Laddie was scooped by Hugh MacLennon, catering manager of Ruislip Secondary school in Hillingdon.
His initiatives to get children involved in learning about the food they eat saw him become the judges favourite and drew praise from celebrity chef and school dinners campaigner Jamie Oliver.
“He's touching 300 kids' lives and they will remember when they are 20, 30 and 40,” said Jamie, whose school dinners campaign inspired Mr MacLennon to get involved in the school kitchen.
“And the fact they will have had a good relationship with food at school is such an incredibly profound thing and I really admire him for that.”
Meanwhile, celebrity chef James Martin was crowed Personality of the Year following a vote by Radio 4 listeners.
Animal welfare charity, Compassion In World Farming won the Derek Cooper Special Award for their campaigning, and scientific research that has led to improved conditions for farm animals both in the UK and throughout the European Union.
A new award at this year's event was for the Best Farmers' Market. The award
went to the Wirral Farmers' Market which impressed the judges for its excellent facilities, quality produce at competitive prices and the fact that it is run entirely by volunteers.
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