Company wins award for supporting local suppliers

Winners were announced at a ceremony celebrating the countryside and projects that create opportunity, enhance landscapes through innovation and tackle pressing environmental issues across the county.

Ten awards were presented across three categories and prizes were given as either a full award, or a highly commended level.

The Sussex Produce Company, in High Street, Steyning, received a full award in the Field to Table category, for projects linking producer with consumer, highlighting the importance and benefits of locally-produced and sourced seasonal foods.

Owner Nick Hempleman said: “Thank you for this award – it is tremendously well deserved, not for us, but for our customers who support us; which enables us to support local producers and suppliers and to employ local people, too.”

Claire Lloyd, awards project manager, said: “My eyes have been opened to all the hard work being done across Sussex to restore countryside icons, buildings and nature, to teach others about the beauty of nature and conservation, and to promote the fantastic produce being grown and consumed locally.”