Fresh Direct, the winner of last year’s Re:fresh Overall Produce Trader of the Year award, is to take over as sponsor of the award in 2009.
The Bicester-based supplier of fruit and vegetables to the foodservice sector walked away with three awards last year and is looking forward to the Re:fresh version of handing over the Masters’ Green Jacket to its successor next month.
To become eligible to win the Overall prize, Fresh Direct had earlier been presented with the National Foodservice Supplier of the Year gong. Parkfresh, the Skelmersdale-based company that scooped the Regional Foodservice Supplier of the Year award, had been purchased by Fresh Direct in the period between judging and the awards.
This year, Fresh Direct chief executive Nigel Harris said he wants to support an award that he feels has benefited his company greatly in the last 12 months. “Winning an award that not only recognises us as the best in our own sector, but also beyond foodservice, is a tremendous boost for any company,” he said. “In my view, it validated the direction in which we are heading as a company and the innovative ways we are going about getting there. While we were confident about that, it can never hurt for everyone within the company to see their efforts recognised by colleagues and competitors in their own field.
“We love this industry and to be selected as its outstanding operator was an unbelievable thrill. That is what the Re:fresh Awards are all about and we are already looking forward to May 28,” he said.
The entry deadline for this year’s awards has now passed. To buy a table, or to take advantage of our buy-one-get-one free delegate offer at this year’s Re:fresh Conference, go to www.refresh.eu/register or call Angie Stuart on 01733 237117.
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