The Health Food Manufacturers’ Association (HFMA) has been acknowledged by the Association for Excellence Awards for its efforts in securing ‘critical’ status for health stores at the start of the pandemic, as non-essential retailers were forced to close.
The HFMA’s swift decision to take action and lobby the Government resulted in health food retailers being permitted to remain open throughout subsequent lockdowns, and HFMA member company employees being granted ‘key worker’ status. During this time the HFMA also launched its first direct-to-consumer campaign HealthyDoesIt. Now, its work has been recognized with the silver prize Best Lobbying Campaign or Advancement of a Cause During COVID-19, awarded by the Association for Excellence Awards.
Graham Keen, executive director, HFMA, comments: “The HFMA has worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to promote, protect and defend the interests of the natural products sector.
“The last 18 months have been challenging for many industries, so we are delighted to accept this award as recognition of the hard work and dedication of everyone in the HFMA ‘family’, perhaps most of all our loyal and long-standing member companies. Our response to COVID-19 has led to an increased focus on the role of health foods and supplements, record growth in HFMA membership and, now, this fantastic accolade.”
