2012 Farm Retail award winners announced

The Winners of the 2012 UK Farm Retail Awards from FARMA (The National Farmers’ Retail and Markets’ Association) have this month been announced at an Awards Ceremony, as part of the industry’s flagship event, FARM & MORE, at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

The Awards, known collectively as the ’FARMA’s’, recognise those farm shops, farmers’ markets, pick-your own and farm attraction sites, which are leading the way in 2012. They exemplify a passion for local food, a commitment to the farming and the environment, a talent for retail, and the fruits of a lot of hard work.

The 2012 Winners are:

UK Farm Retailer of the Year

Farrington’s Farm Shop, Bath & NE Somerset

Farmers’ Market (joint winners)

Moseley Farmers’ Market, Birmingham

Queen’s Park Farmers’ Market, London

Pick-your-own Farm of the Year

Rectory Farm, Oxfordshire

Own & Local Award

Essington Fruit Farm, Staffordshire

The FARMA Rising Stars Awards

Kilnford Barns, Dumfries and Galloway

Hopetoun Farm Shop, West Lothian

Rob Royd Farm Shop, South Yorkshire

Best on-farm Café-Restaurant

Cowdray Farm Shop & Café, West Sussex

Best Farm Retail Newcomer

Cwmcerrig Farm Shop & Grill, Carmarthenshire

Best on-farm Butchery

Newlyns Farm Shop, Hampshire

Environmental Farm Retail of the Year

The Organic Farm Shop, Gloucestershire

Best on-farm Seasonal Attraction

Tulleys Farm, West Sussex

Judges’ Special Award

Fodder, North Yorkshire

The FARMA’s stand out amongst other ’local food awards’ as they are judged by the farm retail sector itself, and awarded to those businesses who they believe to be outstanding in what they have achieved and how they have achieved it.

Rita Exner, FARMA Secretary, commented, "These businesses have already won the admiration and allegiance of many people in their communities as great places to shop, but these awards also recognise their excellence as retailers, farmers and producers. It’s an achievement of which they can all be very proud."