We’re celebrating today (Tues 17 May) with the announcement that we’ve been shortlisted in the 2022 North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards.
Castleton Farm has been recognised in the Operational Excellence category in the awards, that are open to all food and drink producers in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray,
They are back after two years dominated by the global pandemic and Brexit. They celebrate excellence and innovation across the breadth of the food and drink industry from ambitious new starts to global brands.
The achievements of North-east Scotland’s pioneering food and drink producers come as the industry navigates unprecedented changes in consumer behaviour and markets and invests in its future sustainable growth.
Accolade
Owner Anna Mitchell said: “We are an agricultural business that takes its products right through to market, truly from field to fork.
“So to be recognised for operational excellence in how we do this is a tremendous accolade in a region that is renowned for its food and drink.
“At Castleton, we produce the best traditional Scottish food, all grown, picked and processed on our family farm.
“We’re about more than just fruit. We are always looking to the future, and diversify and adapt as the food industry evolves. This innovation and success has been built on a firm foundation of traditional values and methods.”
Significant shifts
The sector has successfully responded to multiple challenges and demonstrated agility and leadership. Bringing new products to market to meet rapidly-evolving consumer tastes and significant shifts in domestic and international markets.
Businesses have connected with their customers in new ways, embraced e-commerce opportunities and are leading the industry with their commitment to low-carbon production with investment to deliver net zero targets through resource efficiency, digital transformation and advanced manufacturing.
Stanley Morrice chairs the food, drink and agriculture board at Opportunity North East. He said: “Our region is synonymous with premium food and drink from land and sea.
“Agile, enterprising and innovative food and drink businesses – from industry leaders to scaling businesses and ambitious new starts – have brought new products to market and grown their sales, connected with customers and consumers via new channels, and enhanced their low-carbon production to contribute to net-zero targets over the past two years.”
“Our region is synonymous with premium food and drink from land and sea.
Almost 30 businesses in total have been shortlisted in the 12 categories of the awards. They cover all aspects of business from Operational Excellence to E-commerce, Best New Product, Best Distilling and Brewing through to Export, and Sustainability.
Delivered by Opportunity North East (ONE) in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council, winners will be announced at an awards presentation dinner on Thursday 9 June 2022 at the Chester Hotel, Aberdeen.
