From Brown Cow to Blue Diamond Growers: Whole Foods announces its supplier of the year awards

02-May-2014 - Last updated on 02-May-2014 at 22:43 GMT

Brown Cow scooped the Best New Product award for its Non-GMO Project Verified Greek yogurt

Every year, Whole Foods Market - the world’s leading retailer of natural and organic foods - celebrates the suppliers that best “embody its mission and core values”. The chain, which was founded in 1980 and now operates 370+ stores generating revenues of almost $13bn, has just announced its 2014 winners:

Supplier of the Year awards for outstanding all-around performance:

Pitman Family Farms: For its commitment to animal welfare, leadership in non-GMO-fed meat production and dedication to quality.

Suja Juice: For combining expertise in mixology, high-pressure pasteurization technology and ethical sourcing to reinvent the fresh juice category.

The other winners were:

Brown Cow - Best New Product.
Blue Diamond Growers - Commodity Ingredients
Vermont Creamery - Excellence in Cheese.
Fair Trade USA - Distinguished Service.
Gotham Greens - New Product Innovation.
Driscoll’s and Raw Seafood - Excellence in Product Quality.
Del Monaco Foods - Product with a Purpose.
Kvaroy Fiskeoppdrett, AS - Excellence in Standards.
Alter Eco Foods - Environmental Stewardship.
Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps - Organic and Non-GMO Supply Chain Commitment.
The Xerces Society - Best Partnership.
Simmons Pet Food - Outstanding Innovation.
Natural Merchants - Outstanding Wine and Beer Supplier.
Trace Register - Outstanding Quality Assurance.
Alaffia - Dedication to Responsible Sourcing.
Ocean Beauty and Myrna Fossum - Special Recognition.

While some analysts have expressed concerns about capacity growth in the sector, Whole Foods Market Co-CEOs John Mackey and Walter Robb recently told reporters that they see the potential to expand to 1,200 stores throughout the United States—nearly three times the number of locations the chain currently operates worldwide (their previously stated long-term goal was 1,000 U.S. stores).

For full details of the award winners, click HERE.