Random post judging thoughts – including Tesco!

Theoretically things should have calmed down a bit once the FFFood Awards judging was over but somehow…..

Well, first there was the shortlist to get out (see here for which products made it onto the shortlist), then there were the press releases related to the shortlist. We have already had lots of coverage in the trade magazines and from our lovely bloggers – and more to come. (Telegraph readers, keep your eyes open next weekend – we hope…)

And then, of course, there were the invitations to the party to send out! Given that the FreeFrom Food Awards presentation party is THE social and networking event of the freefrom year, who does and who does not get invited to the party is a matter of crucial importance!!  The party, rather like the judging sessions, is always interesting because of the diversity of the guests – including, of course, all of those judges! Moreover it is probably the only occasion on which small, new producers get to meet those God-like creatures, supermarket buyers – and vice versa! In fact, the supermarket buyers are just as interested in meeting the small producers as the latter are to meet them. Where else would they find so many potential specialist suppliers all gathered together in one room for them?!

(If you really want the low down on the party check out a few of Alex’s whimsical annual reports – 2013 at the Royal College of Physicians,  2012 at the Museum of London in Docklands, 2011 at the Kew Bridge Steam Museum, 2010 at the Canal Museum….)

Anyhow, the invitations now despatched and the interviews done, I am heading away from the rain next week, leaving Cressida, the cats and Alex in residence and in charge at FoodsMatter Towers! But meanwhile…….

A clap on the back for Tesco – normally in receipt of many more brick bats than plaudits. We do somewhat feel for the small but very pro-active ‘freefrom’ team at Tesco. They really do try their best to provide a decent range of freefrom products at a reasonable price for their customers. But, rather than being thanked, most of the time they find themselves on the receiving end of complaints about Tesco corporate policies, which certainly all too often leave a lot to be desired, but over which the freefrom team have absolutely no control! So, a little pat on the back from one of our social media followers:

Hi guys. I just wanted to tell u how amazing Tesco free from range is. Where I live there is a massive growing problem with babies born with multiple allergies. And in such a large city like Newcastle it’s unbelievable that products for allergies are so hard to find. So I just want to give a massive thumbs up to Tesco.

I have two children, one with dairy allergy and one with a multiple food allergy  – everything from fruit and veg to milk. Luckily for me hunting round for stuff is no longer a problem now as Tesco cater for both children with allergies and the one child with no allergies at all. Finally someone has noticed its a growing problem and have done something about it. My baby had a milkshake for first time today thanks to the  coconut ‘free from’ range milk. Amazing one step closer to normalilty for my lil baba. Thanks, Chrissy