Top poultry farmers wanted for free-range egg awards

The British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) is calling for nominations for the 2016 Free Range Egg Awards.

Retailers, food businesses, farmers and marketing initiatives that have made a tangible difference to the industry in the past year will be honoured at a ceremony held during the organisation’s annual conference in November.

See also: Read about last year’s winners

BFREPA chairman and Shropshire free-range egg producer Myles Thomas said: “The Free Range Egg Awards, sponsored by Elanco, is an opportunity to celebrate the efforts of those who are supporting, growing and promoting the free-range egg market.

“Nominations can be local or national – it is your opinion as to their impact and success that counts.”

Marks & Spencer took home the 2015 retailer of the year prize for relaunching its free-range, organic and specialty egg range in a blaze of publicity.

Producer awards were won by Phil Twizell from County Durham, for the development of an online egg sales channel, and Clive and Liz Patrick from Lincolnshire who demonstrated what the judges called “an obsessive attention to detail in hen management”.

Philip Twizzel is handed his Free Range Egg Awards trophy by Countryfile presenter Adam Henson

“We’re looking for passion and commitment to free-range eggs,” Mr Thomas added. “Individuals within the egg industry, consumers, restaurant owners, bakers and greengrocers can all nominate or be considered for an award.”

The categories seeking nominations are:

• Retailer of the year
• Food business of the year
• Marketing initiative of the year
• Breakthrough of the year
• Producer of the year – larger scale
• Producer of the year – smaller scale
• Lifetime achievement.

The winners will be announced at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham on 23 November.

Nominations must be submitted by 15 July.

To submit an entry, download an entry form from the BFREPA website.