The Food and Drink Federation has opened nominations for its annual MP's Choice Awards: Food and Drink Manufacturer of the Year, inviting MPs to put forward outstanding small and medium-sized manufacturers in their constituencies.
Regional winners will be selected and invited to a ceremony in Parliament, where an overall national winner will be crowned at a reception in January. The awards celebrate the role SMEs play in the UK's largest manufacturing sector, which the FDF says contributes more than £42 billion to the economy, accounts for almost a quarter of manufacturing turnover and supports half a million jobs.
What MPs are asked to nominate
MPs are being asked to nominate local food and non-alcoholic drink manufacturers that demonstrate excellence in innovation, sustainability, workforce development and wellbeing, and community engagement. Nominations must be made directly by MPs, with a deadline of 23:59 on Friday 13 November. One finalist will be selected from each of twelve UK nations and regions.
Judges
The awards will be judged by industry figures including Jacqui Parr, editor of TheGrocer.co.uk; Rachel Clark, Sainsbury's director of groceries; the chair and vice chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Food and Drink, Mike Reader MP and John Lemont MP; FDF director of corporate affairs and communications Anna Macmillan; and previous winners ChalkStream.
Karen Betts: 'Jobs in every postcode'
Karen Betts, chief executive of the Food and Drink Federation, said: "Too often, the food and drink manufacturers driving local growth go unrecognised. Yet these businesses are creating jobs, investing in communities and generating opportunity in every postcode across the UK. The MP's Choice Awards are a chance to celebrate those businesses and the contribution they make to their local communities. We encourage MPs and local residents to get their nominations in for the food and drink manufacturers they're proud to have in their area."
Further details and criteria are on the FDF website.
