The organic industry sees the return of the BOOM awards, as Soil Association Certification partners with Ocado to celebrate the best of the organic market in 2021.
Back for a fourth round, the BOOM awards are this year expanding to encompass beauty and wellbeing, fashion and textiles and farming – along with the established categories within food and drink – to ‘celebrate excellence’ and reflect the full range of certified organic businesses ‘working to restore nature, health and a safe climate’.
Headline sponsor Ocado – the UK’s largest stockist or organic products – is partnering with Soil Association Certification to offer an exclusive benefits package to the recipient of the WOW (Winner of Winners) award. Rose Price, Ocado organic buying director, says the WOW accolade will help the supermarket ‘champion’ the winning brand’s products.
“Organic has always been an important part of the Ocado range, so we’re thrilled to be partnering with Soil Association Certification for the 2021 BOOM awards. Our customers can find the largest online range of organic products in the UK, so we’re excited to find and celebrate new and existing suppliers.
“The ‘Winner of Winners’ will be offered a listing on Ocado if they are not already a supplier, plus a package of exclusive benefits including marketing and social support. We’re looking forward to championing their organic products with our highly engaged customers.”
Clare McDermott, business development director, Soil Association Certification, comments: “Ocado is a huge supporter of organic … it’s fantastic to have the team on board.
“2020 has seen organic brands, retailers and businesses highlight the crucial importance of producing food in a way that works with nature to protect soil, encourage wildlife and help tackle the climate crisis – all while demonstrating amazing innovation, even in the face of huge disruptions and challenges.”
Entry to the BOOMs is open to all certified organic businesses from 1 December. Judging will take place in spring, with the awards ceremony planned for summer.
With support from all sponsors (Ocado, Yeo Valley, Alara Wholefoods, English Tea Shop Organic, Omsco, Rachel’s Organic, RB Organic, Riverford Organic Farmers & Robin Appel Ltd.) in 2021 small Soil-Association-certified businesses with sales under £250,000 will be offered free entry, limited to two free entries per business.
The 2019 finalist for Best of Organic Pantry, Jacob Thundil OBE, founder of Cocofina, reflects on the impact of the 2019 awards: “The BOOM Awards combined with Organic September has been our best-ever marketing campaign. We received requests from over 200 stores for samples, resulting in many products getting sold out and Cocofina gaining over 26 new listings. I am pleased to continue growing in an uncertain trading environment.”
