Business

Willowbrook Foods takes top honours at Henderson Group awards

Ashley Orr, Willowbrook Foods receives the overall Local Supplier of the Year Award from Paddy Doody, and Neal Kelly, Henderson Group
Ashley Orr, Willowbrook Foods receives the overall Local Supplier of the Year Award from Paddy Doody, and Neal Kelly, Henderson Group Ashley Orr, Willowbrook Foods receives the overall Local Supplier of the Year Award from Paddy Doody, and Neal Kelly, Henderson Group

COUNTY Down firm Willowbrook Foods has taken the top award at the annual Henderson Wholesale Local Supplier Awards.

The company supplies salad bags and bowls, freshly prepared vegetables and cooked meal accompaniments and has been trading with Henderson Wholesale for 20 years.

Other winning food firms at the awards held during the Balmoral Show included Around Noon for Best Direct to Store Supplier and Kerry Foods which took home the Best Brand Innovation award.

Quinfresh was named the enjoy local Supplier of the Year for its contribution to the wholesaler’s own-brand range and Gilfresh Produce won the Tomorrow Matters award for outstanding practice in CSR.

Now in their fourth year, the award scheme allows the Henderson Group, which owns the Spar and Eurospar franchises in Northern Ireland, to recognise the efforts of the local supply companies their wholesale business is developing fresh and ambient ranges with.

Henderson Group fresh foods director Neal Kelly said: "Willowbrook Foods demonstrated a high level of innovation and awareness of our brand, retailers and consumers to go forward to win the Overall Supplier of the Year award. They are a key supplier to the enjoy local own-brand range and we are confident our relationship will only grow stronger to create even better products for our stores and shoppers.

“I wish to congratulate every one of our shortlisted, winning and highly commended local suppliers as we simply couldn’t provide the fresh and local range at the value we do for our shoppers without them.”

Henderson director of sales and marketing Paddy Doody added: “We have enjoyed a fantastic sixth year with Spar as platinum sponsor of the show. From daily barbecues with brand ambassador Paula McIntyre, sampling in our enjoy local marquee, family fun in the Spar Arena and providing daily essentials to visitors and exhibitors at our Spar pop up shop, the three days have been a huge success."