The winners of the FDF's Community Partnership Awards exemplify all that is great in the grocery trade, says Melanie Leech
What do the following have in common? A volunteer programme for Mars' employees; McDonald's programme to train community football coaches; Unilever's efforts to get kids cooking in schools; Nestlé's workplace wellbeing scheme; Taylors of Harrogate's Cone Exchange recycling initiative; and Müller Dairy's sustainable environmental strategy.
No? They are the gold winners of this year's Food and Drink Federation Community Partnership Awards.
The awards were presented by Food and Farming Minister Jim Fitzpatrick in London last week. They recognise the inspirational work undertaken by companies in our sector through their contributions to local schools and hospitals, sponsorship of sports activities, supporting cultural and civic projects, or environmental initiatives.
This year's judging panels chaired by Professor Robert Pickard and The Grocer's Lorraine Hendle had a tough job sorting through a record number of entries to decide on the 22 gold, silver, bronze and highly commended winners.
A record number of entries? You'd expect this fluffy stuff to disappear in a recession, wouldn't you? But it's clear that companies of all sizes continue to see the importance of investing their time, money and effort in this sort of work despite the economic slowdown.
Perhaps that's not too surprising. Food companies have always forged close links with the communities in which they operate and their commitment to educate, inspire and develop people right across the UK is a longstanding one; stemming from a time before it was defined as 'corporate social responsibility'.
Our awards can only provide a brief taste of what is actually happening around the country. But the winners are all great examples of best practice and showcasing them in this year's competition helps us promote the important role our sector plays in Britain's communities.
It's also good to take some time out from the daily grind to remember that this community work shows, yet again, why ours is truly a great industry. And that's something well worth celebrating.
Melanie Leech is director general of the Food & Drink Federation.
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What do the following have in common? A volunteer programme for Mars' employees; McDonald's programme to train community football coaches; Unilever's efforts to get kids cooking in schools; Nestlé's workplace wellbeing scheme; Taylors of Harrogate's Cone Exchange recycling initiative; and Müller Dairy's sustainable environmental strategy.
No? They are the gold winners of this year's Food and Drink Federation Community Partnership Awards.
The awards were presented by Food and Farming Minister Jim Fitzpatrick in London last week. They recognise the inspirational work undertaken by companies in our sector through their contributions to local schools and hospitals, sponsorship of sports activities, supporting cultural and civic projects, or environmental initiatives.
This year's judging panels chaired by Professor Robert Pickard and The Grocer's Lorraine Hendle had a tough job sorting through a record number of entries to decide on the 22 gold, silver, bronze and highly commended winners.
A record number of entries? You'd expect this fluffy stuff to disappear in a recession, wouldn't you? But it's clear that companies of all sizes continue to see the importance of investing their time, money and effort in this sort of work despite the economic slowdown.
Perhaps that's not too surprising. Food companies have always forged close links with the communities in which they operate and their commitment to educate, inspire and develop people right across the UK is a longstanding one; stemming from a time before it was defined as 'corporate social responsibility'.
Our awards can only provide a brief taste of what is actually happening around the country. But the winners are all great examples of best practice and showcasing them in this year's competition helps us promote the important role our sector plays in Britain's communities.
It's also good to take some time out from the daily grind to remember that this community work shows, yet again, why ours is truly a great industry. And that's something well worth celebrating.
Melanie Leech is director general of the Food & Drink Federation.
More Comment & Opinion
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