25.11.10 | Local salad producer wins national Food Manufacturing Excellence Award

Selsey-based salads company, Natures Way Foods (NWF), has been named the UK’s best manufacturer of fresh produce in the food industry’s equivalent of the Oscars - the Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards.

NWF, which supplies bagged salads and prepared fruits to Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons and other major retailers and food service companies, scooped the prestigious award in recognition of its strong credentials as a modern, innovative and highly successful business. NWF is a big employer in West Sussex, employing 450 permanent staff, and has grown by 41% in the last two years - achieving a turnover of £95 million in 2009.

Sarah Baldock, Head of Marketing, and Clare Roberts HR and Health and Safety Director, received the award on behalf of the company at a gala ceremony held at the Savoy Hotel, London.  The Award was presented by BBC Breakfast’s Chris Hollins and by Andy Hodgkins, Business Director of the Award sponsor Gist.  In making their decision, the judges found that NWF rapid growth was largely down to its innovation and new product development.  This includes this year’s launch of the unique Lasting Leaf brand of bagged salads.  Currently available exclusively at Waitrose, this new salad range offers an extra 48 hour shelf life, once the bag has been opened, in comparison to traditional bags.

Sarah Baldock comments, “We are absolutely delighted to have won such a prestigious award and to have been recognized by our peers.  The annual Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards are organized by Food Manufacture magazine and prizes are awarded across nine manufacturing categories.  This recognizes that NWF is truly a world-class business which will continue to innovate and grow for many years to come.”



Rick Pendrous, Editor of Food Manufacture, says, “The Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards distinguish and reward the UK’s very best food and drink manufacturing companies. We congratulate Natures Way Foods on achieving the very highest standards in this competitive and fast moving industry.”