Fresh Awards 2026: An Industry United, Inspired And Ready For The Future
From outstanding emerging talent to pioneering businesses and the retailers winning shoppers’ loyalty, the FPC Fresh Awards 2026 made a powerful case for being the industry’s most impactful celebration yet.
Held at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London, on Friday 25 September, this year’s awards put the people and businesses shaping fresh produce, flowers and plants firmly in the spotlight. Their significance extended beyond the trophies: the winners offered practical examples of how the industry can develop its workforce, embrace innovation and build a more sustainable future.
Hall Hunter Partnership led the celebrations, winning both Fresh Produce Business of the Year, sponsored by CHEP, and Best Place to Work, sponsored by Freeths. Its double success underlined the connection between investing in people and building a successful business, with recognition spanning its workplace culture and commitment to British berry production.
The Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Westfalia Fruit, honoured Graham Young’s contribution across more than 35 years in the industry. Alongside that recognition of experience, the awards delivered an equally compelling message about the next generation.
An unprecedented number of exceptional entries prompted judges to name Ruby Furniss of Dole and Pramodhya “Pramo” Loku Gamage of PML Seafrigo joint Rising Star winners. Sponsored by Fresca Group, the category demonstrated the breadth of talent emerging across commercial and business support roles.
Innovation and environmental progress were central to the evening. Tasker Partnership – BerryWorld won Agritech Excellence, Wyma Solutions took Innovation Excellence and Delifresh was named Technology Champion of the Year. Worldwide Fruit, Porta Nova, Fairman Knight & Sons and Global Pacific UK were recognised across the climate, net zero and sustainability categories. Together, these results placed the industry’s capacity for change centre stage.
The public also had its say, deciding five retailer categories. Aldi won Multiple Fruit & Veg Retailer of the Year, while Marks & Spencer took the floral and plant title alongside Best Marketing Campaign. Co-op, Ocado and Flying Flowers completed the public-voted winners. The new Independent Retailer of the Year award went to Carrolls Greengrocers, giving independent retail an important place in the celebrations.
The event’s sponsors reflected the breadth of the industry behind it. Alongside CHEP, Freeths, Westfalia Fruit and Fresca Group, supporters included Smurfit Westrock, IFCO, RBF Cargocare, Digipal, Branston, Morrisons, Greosn, PML Seafrigo, United Fruit Growers, Tosca, Canopi Logistics, Worldwide Fruit and IFE. New Covent Garden Market, New Spitalfields Market, Western International Market, the British Florist Association and the Worshipful Company of Gardeners also supported the celebration.
For Freshtalk Daily, that combination of talent, practical progress, consumer recognition and industry support is what makes 2026 stand out. The awards have given the sector achievements to celebrate and examples to carry forward — a legacy with the potential to last well beyond one glittering evening.
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