The objective of the event was to give an overview of the company's business, share its fresh food strategy, strengthen relationships and thank suppliers for their ongoing support. It generated such positive response that the intention is to make the conference and the awards an annual event in the produce calendar.

The aim of the awards is to recognise and reward suppliers making the most valuable contribution to the development of Budgens fresh food category.

The top award for Budgens Produce Supplier of the Year went to produce importer and marketing group IVG White, for driving innovation and championing the produce category.

IVG White sales director Julian White said: 'It was an excellent conference. As suppliers we appreciate this opportunity for communication and sharing of plans and the response from the audience was wonderfully positive. The Budgens team is very stable, flexible, open to new ideas and loyal to suppliers. We've supplied them for the past 10 years and I believe we've grown alongside the company. It's a pleasure for us to accept this new award and look forward to next year's conference.' In second place was Gerber Fresh Produce Ltd, for developing Budgens' own label prepared vegetables, which were introduced less than a year ago. Third position went to Newmafruit Farms of Canterbury, awarded for its ongoing commitment on supply of excellent quality UK top fruit, including the relatively new Cameo variety which has seen excellent sales at Budgens.

In his Budgens' senior trading controller for fresh foods, Steve Carter, commented: 'This was our first ever category-specific conference and it reflects the importance of the fresh food category to our business. Budgens' fresh food participation matches that of the major multiples, far outstripping the standard convenience store - fresh produce accounts for 11 per cent at Budgens, compared with only 2 per cent in an average C store. We've developed fresh food into a destination category at Budgens and these awards recognise the part our suppliers have played in us reaching that position.'