FPC Fresh Awards 2026: Celebrating the People and Businesses Shaping Fresh Produce
Hall Hunter Partnership has been named Fresh Produce Business of the Year and Graham Young has received the Lifetime Achievement Award, as the FPC Fresh Awards 2026 celebrated outstanding achievement across the fresh produce, cut flower and plant industries.
The winners were announced at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London, on Friday 25 September. From emerging talent and industry-leading teams to growers, suppliers, innovators and retailers, this year’s winners show the skill, resilience and ambition found throughout the supply chain. Five retailer categories were decided by a public vote, giving shoppers their own say in the results.
FRESH PRODUCE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Hall Hunter Partnership
The family-run berry grower produces around 10,000 tonnes of berries a year. It reported an 87% employee engagement score and a 75% seasonal worker return rate, has adopted automation and AI for blueberry harvesting and grading, and holds B Corp certification with a score of 96.1.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Graham Young
Recognised for more than 35 years of leadership and service to the industry, including 11 years at Barfoots and helping to build Greencell into what is now Westfalia Fruit UK. He has now retired from his role as Chief Operations Executive at Westfalia Fruit.
“Graham has helped shape companies, categories, customer relationships, and people; leaving a legacy that will continue to influence the fresh produce industry for years to come."
RISING STAR OF THE YEAR (JOINT WINNERS)
Ruby Furniss, Dole, and Pramodhya “Pramo” Loku Gamage, PML Seafrigo
Faced with an unprecedented number of entries, the judges recognised two winners: Ruby, who has progressed rapidly from graduate entrant to a trusted member of Dole’s commercial team, and Pramo, who rose to Accounts Payable Supervisor in 16 months while completing his ACCA qualification.
MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Mohamed Nafide, Delassus Group
Recognised for leading teams through seven consecutive years of drought in Morocco, introducing digital tools, precision irrigation and improved processes while maintaining high standards for international customers.
TEAM OF THE YEAR
PrepWorld
Its 52-person procurement team keeps prepared fruit moving through one of the UK’s most complex fruit supply chains, while delivering year-on-year volume growth and promoting from within.
HR INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
A.H. Worth
Its Belonging @ Worths platform celebrates the heritage of a workforce representing 14 nationalities through food, storytelling, quizzes and shared experiences.
BEST PLACE TO WORK
Hall Hunter Partnership
Recognised for investing in employees from seasonal workers to colleagues building long-term careers, through leadership, graduate and apprenticeship programmes, wellbeing support and a first-time buyer loan.
NET ZERO IMPACT
Porta Nova
The Dutch rose nursery’s Red Naomi® FUTURA rose delivers up to a 95% reduction in CO2 emissions per stem, combining renewable wind energy, UV-C robots and biological pest control.
INNOVATION EXCELLENCE
Wyma Solutions
Its Optical Vege-Trimmer uses machine vision, artificial intelligence and precision engineering to automate the trimming of carrots and parsnips, developed in partnership with Frederick Hiam.
CLIMATE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Worldwide Fruit
Its Model Farm approach uses working orchards to assess regenerative practices, measure progress and share lessons across its grower network.
“Worldwide Fruit is showing growers not simply why they need to change, but how to change, how to measure progress, and how to share what they learn.”
SUSTAINABILITY EXCELLENCE: SUPPLY CHAIN
Fairman Knight & Sons
A circular model that takes 40,000 tonnes of food waste a year from local growers and uses bioconversion to create UK-sourced agricultural inputs.
SUSTAINABILITY EXCELLENCE: ETHICAL
Global Pacific UK
A dedicated international sustainability team working directly with growers and packhouses to improve conditions for workers across its fruit supply chain.
AGRITECH EXCELLENCE
Tasker Partnership – BerryWorld
A whole-farm approach at Harwell Farm combining precision irrigation, fertigation and UV-C robotics with renewable energy, biological crop protection and biodiversity restoration.
TECHNOLOGY CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Delifresh
AI, automation, digital quality management and integrated systems used to redesign how its foodservice operation connects suppliers, produce and customers.
BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN
Marks & Spencer
Farm to Foodhall, a television campaign in which Tom Kerridge met the growers behind M&S Food’s fresh produce.
UK GROWER OF THE YEAR
Newey
Supplying millions of plants from more than 200 acres, while investing in new varieties, peat-free growing and water harvesting.
INTERNATIONAL SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
Driscoll’s
A collaborative grower network spanning 22 countries, united by a focus on flavour, appearance and shelf life.
WHOLESALE FRUIT & VEG SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
Premier Foods Wholesale
A family-run business with roots in New Covent Garden Market dating back to 1999, recognised for reliable service and practical solutions when supply is disrupted.
“Premier Foods Wholesale represents the very best of the wholesale fresh produce industry: traditional in values, yet progressive in thinking.”
WHOLESALE FLORAL & PLANT SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
Westflor
Orders until 2am, early-morning deliveries and a no-quibble guarantee, with a customer base that has doubled over five years.
SUPERMARKET FRUIT & VEG SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
Primafruit
Reliable supply to Waitrose & Partners, strengthened by a new 10-year growth contract.
SUPERMARKET FLORAL & PLANT SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
MM Flowers
Delivering flowers and plants at enormous scale through Mother’s Day, Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
FOODSERVICE SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
Fresh Direct
Keeping chefs supplied through extreme weather, crop failures and rising costs, with 100% of its contracted British growers now LEAF Marque certified.
BUSINESS SERVICE PARTNER OF THE YEAR
RBF Cargocare
Round-the-clock customs and logistics support that keeps perishable shipments moving.
INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Carrolls Greengrocers
The first winner of this new category: a Sidley, East Sussex greengrocer with nearly 50 years of family heritage, offering deliveries for elderly and less mobile customers and a food voucher scheme.
“A truly deserving recipient of this new award, Carrolls Greengrocers demonstrates why independent retailers matter.”
Five retailer categories were decided by a public vote, giving customers the chance to recognise the retailers they value most.
MULTIPLE FRUIT & VEG RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Aldi
Praised by voters for its prices, friendly staff and produce quality.
MULTIPLE FLORAL & PLANT RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Marks & Spencer
Recognised by shoppers for the quality and reliability of its flowers and plants.
CONVENIENCE RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Co-op
Described by one voter as the “standout go-to convenience shop”.
ONLINE FRUIT & VEG RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Ocado
Praised for its range, produce quality and delivery service.
ONLINE FLORAL & PLANT RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Flying Flowers
From carnations sent by post from Jersey in 1981 to shoppers’ favourite online florist.
“I’ve been sent a lot of flowers but these were the best. They brightened my day!” ~Voter's Comment.
Nigel Jenney, Chief Executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium, wrote in his message for the awards: “You are helping to shape the future of our industry and setting an example for others to follow.”
The Fresh Produce Consortium thanks the judges, sponsors and everyone who helped make this year’s celebration possible.
Full details of every winner can be found in the Fresh Awards 2026 Winners’ Brochure at fpcfreshawards.co.uk.
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