Sally Gunnell OBE, patron of Sussex Food and Drink Awards, has welcomed top Sussex accountancy firm Spofforths on board as new sponsors, taking on the Sussex Farmer of the Year category, to support rural business.
Said Adrian Pearce, Spofforths’ Agriculture and Farming Specialist, “Spofforths
understands the challenges farmers face on a daily basis. We are delighted to
be involved with the awards and decided to sponsor this category as it is so
important that local farmers are recognised for the high quality food they
produce and the positive impact they have in shaping the rural landscape.
“Entering the award is an ideal way for farmers to raise awareness about
their contribution to the county. It could be through sustainable farming,
encouraging people to buy local produce, or for having a notable effect on the
local economy.”
They join other leading firms which have loyally supported the scheme for several years, including top law firm Mayo Wynne
Baxter, supporters of local food The Southern Cooperative and the county’s
best-known and longest-standing brewery Harveys.
Paula Seager and Hilary Knight, co-directors
of Natural Partnerships CIC, a community interest company which runs the awards,
thanked the sponsors for their support, saying that the awards, which are all
about promoting local food and drink, could not happen without them.
Nominations for these prestigious awards, now
in their eighth year, are being taken from now until May 3 at www.sussexfoodawards.biz for the finest
local food and drink producers, farmers, food/farm shops, farmers markets,
butchers, young chefs and food outlets.
Judges will be reviewing entries made from
business owners or their customers and announcing a shortlist for each of the
eight categories for public voting at the awards launch at the South of England
Show on Thursday 6th June.
