Tracey Nash and Nancy Judge of Hampshire Fare have been named as this year’s winners in the British Food Fortnight 2018 competition. Hampshire Fare has been outstanding in its mission to teach young children about food provenance in a fun and inspiring way with over 400 schools in Hampshire all getting involved with British Food Fortnight.
Hampshire Fare has supported British Food Fortnight for the last three years and has been the driving force behind food education in local schools from organising talks from local suppliers to farm visits and a key influencer in putting British food at the heart of school meals in the county.
As well as inviting local producers into schools, Hampshire Fare has also worked closely with Hampshire Country Council Catering Services (HC3S) to spread the British Food Fortnight message to a greater audience.The Lantern Community in Ringwood got involved in making props for the Winchester Cathedral Harvest display.The Hampshire Fare team also attended ‘A Thought for Food Market’ to really help consumers find out more about the story behind their food.
The competition, now in its sixth year, acknowledges the people behind the most imaginative and inclusive celebrations of local food and the harvest. Entries were received from across the country and included pre-schools, school meals, care homes, hospitals and community festivals.
Alexia Robinson, Founder of Love British Food, said: “This year the British Food Fortnight competition saw a record number of entries.So many people got involved from food festivals, hospitals, care homes, schools, universities and many more to help us rediscover and appreciate all that is great about British food.
“We are incredibly proud of all entries we receive particularly from schools and care homes that work to such tight budgets.”
The winners were chosen by a panel of judges including; Cathryn Higgs, Head of Food Policy, Co-op Food, Breige Donaghy, Director of Delicious Food, Co-op, Chef Raymond Blanc, OBE, Liz Earle, MBE wellbeing writer and farmer, Candice Brown, Food Writer and Alexia Robinson, Founder of Love British Food.Together they were looking for events that strengthened the local community, supported the economy and educated the public about British food and eating locally.
Raymond Blanc said: “Once again, the entries for the British Food Fortnight competition are fantastic.I always enjoy reading through the notes and learning what efforts the communities have put into their projects – from the small entries such as Little Maplestead Church and Fountains Court to the well-established team at the Thame Food Festival who every year create an incredible event.The community spirit and sense of coming together to celebrate British food Fortnight is so special and this campaign is wonderful for people to show off what they have done.”
He continued: “The Hampshire Fare team are so passionate and committed about supporting and promoting the talented local produce and craft communities and I love the fact that the children get so inspired and learn so much.”
Cathryn Higgs, Food Policy at Co-op, said “Hampshire Fare really succeeded bringing food to life for the young generation with a farm to fork approach providing resources to schools.”
The newly crowned winners will be given the opportunity to have a Love British Food ambassador at their 2019 event plus £250 in Co-op vouchers and a case of Co-op award winning ‘Les Pionniers’ champagne.