It’s been a momentous year news-wise for the industry – and it’s still only September! Was it only eight months ago that Horsegate hit? It feels far longer, even though the ramifications are still being felt, courtesy of the already infamous Tesco/Cranswick pork chop.

You have to feel sympathy for the little fella. One minute you’re a humble pork chop with small-town dreams of some salt, a good grilling and a steady marriage to some mash and gravy, the next minute you’re thrust unblinking into the spotlight, splashed across the red tops, exposed as a fraud and serving as a sharp reminder that, for consumers at least, the issues raised during Horsegate still loom large.

Yet those headlines also remind us of the importance of our industry. Issues like these really matter to consumers. In fact, they always have, whether it’s BSE, Salmonella or horsemeat they are front page news, every time. And it’s when our industry is under the microscope more than ever, facing criticism from every angle, that it’s even more important to remember the positives.

The Grocer is doing just that by celebrating the talent that exists within fmcg. Launching in November, the Top New Talent list will recognise and reward the most talented young people in the industry today (under 35!). Nominations can be made below – or if you think you are good enough, you can nominate yourself.

So whether you know of, or you are, a meat producer who strives every day to make sure your 100% British pork chops remain 100% British, or a PR who spends their Monday mornings regularly fighting fires like the teams at Cranswick and Tesco just did, enter.

Names are already arriving at The Grocer from some of the biggest companies in the world and, so far, the standard is incredibly high. Which is exactly what we want. However, we still want more nominations – and plenty of them. It’s simple, just enter the information on the form below and we will take it from there.

After all, when this tumultuous year draws to a close, and you raise a glass of Champagne to the next one, won’t it make a pleasant change to have some really good news to look back on?

Closing date for entries is 14 October.

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