AWARDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
JUNE 2009AND THE WINNER IS … Well, what a spring it’s been! Below is a list of awards we nearly won – we were in the top 3 in all cases – a really amazing achievement considering the huge competition we were up against. The Observer Ethical Award, announced this week, relied in the first instance on customer voting, so thank you sincerely to customers who took the time to vote. We’re really incredibly grateful for the support we get from you. Observer Ethical Awards – Best Local Retailer category – a very commendable second place (we lost out to the London-based bed company who won last year). Top 3: Natural and Organic Award – Best Local Retailer Top 5: Soil Association – Best Organic Retailer (down to a public vote, incidentally – Riverford won – congrats to them, but they did put a link to the vote on their website and inform all their thousands of customers – no sour grapes at all!) Runner up: Observer Food Monthly – Best Independent Shop – we didn’t even know we were up for this one, so that was a nice surprise!
Mel Taylor
General Manager
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Below is a press release sent out on Thursday 4th June: The Better Food Company are finalists in national food award Thursday 4th June 2009 Bristol’s only organic supermarket, The Better Food Company, are finalists at the Observer’s Ethical Food Award as Best Local Retailer. The award, which initially asks for customer votes, is now in its fourth year and is seen as instrumental in bringing green issues to the forefront of consumer minds and recognising those who pioneer a sustainable future. ‘We are so excited to have got to this final stage’, says Phil Haughton, Better Food’s enigmatic MD. ‘It’s so important in these difficult times to be seen above the parapet, and it’s great that the hard work we all put in is being recognised’. At a ceremony in London on Wednesday evening, Sir David Attenborough won a life-time achievement award, and in a speech praised the work of businesses and individuals around the country working for a more sustainable future. The Better Food Company has existed in various forms for some 30 years, with Phil at the helm. Its current incarnation, as a large organic shop, café and veg box delivery scheme based in St Werburghs, prides itself on its community links, educational work and veg growing operation. It has also been in the final of other national awards, including the Soil Association’s Organic Food Award. Another local company, Bella and Fifi, a florist that specialises in local, organic and ethically grown flowers, was also short listed. ‘We’ve got a long way to go’, continues Phil, ‘but Bristol’s on the eco-map in indelible ink!’.