Identifying Excellence: New Award Program Launches for Plant-Based Foods in Europe
Plant-Based World Expo Europe has unveiled an exciting new initiative: the Plant-Based Excellence Awards, aimed at celebrating the best products in the plant-based industry. This comprehensive awards program is designed to help decision-makers identify top-performing products that not only taste great but also present well and are commercially viable.
A Holistic Approach to Judging
What sets the Plant-Based Excellence Awards apart from other industry accolades is its holistic judging criteria. Products will be evaluated on taste, presentation, and business viability, ensuring that only those which excel in all areas are rewarded.
As Abigail Stevens, Marketing Director at Plant Based World Expo, explains, “Creative marketing without competitive margins won’t lead to listings, just as the most delicious product that is presented poorly won’t grab and hold the attention of customers.”
Extensive Categories and Judging Panels
The awards cover 17 categories, including:
- Meat Alternatives
- Fish and Seafood Alternatives
- Whole Foods
- Ready Meals
- Deli Products
- Dairy Alternatives
- Dairy Alternatives Cheese
- Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts
- Egg Replacements
- Baked Goods
- Savoury Snacking
- Sweet Snacking
- Cold Beverages
- Hot Beverages
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Condiments, Preserves and Ferments
- Innovative Ingredients
Products will be judged by panels consisting of buyers and industry advisors, including some of the hosted buyers at Plant Based World Expo Europe 2024. This diverse panel ensures that the judging process is comprehensive and reflective of real-world commercial success.
Entry and Costs
Entries are now open to all businesses offering plant-based products that meet the criteria of being free from animal ingredients or by-products. The entry fee is £100+VAT per product per category, but exhibitors at the Plant Based World Expo benefit from one free entry and a reduced fee of £75+VAT for subsequent entries.
Stevens emphasizes the accessibility of the awards: “It was important to us that these awards were accessible to all businesses from a cost perspective. As a result, our fees are very affordable, and we hope it allows smaller companies and start-ups to enter their ranges.”
Timeline and Awards Ceremony
Entries are closing on August 9th, 2024. Judging will take place in September, with winners notified in October ahead of the Plant Based World Expo Europe. The awards will culminate in a live ceremony on November 13th at ExCeL London, where the highest-scoring products in each category will be crowned overall winners.
This live ceremony offers a valuable opportunity for brands to be recognized in front of an audience of buyers, media, and industry members, all eager to discover outstanding plant-based products.
Get Involved
The launch of the Plant-Based Excellence Awards underscores the importance of standing out in a competitive market.
“This is a competitive market”, Stevens concludes, “From its rapid growth phase in the last few years, which saw an abundance of new brands and products being launched, to the corrective phase witnessed in the past year with brands fighting to secure and keep listings… Standing out from the crowd is essential for all brands and their products.”
By participating in the Plant-Based Excellence Awards, plant-based companies have the chance to showcase their innovations, gain industry recognition, and increase their market presence. This initiative highlights the continuous innovation and growth within the plant-based sector, encouraging companies to strive for excellence.