Press release -
Challenger brand CRAVE boldly stand out at Free From Food Awards 2024
At the glamorous Free From Food Awards party in central London on Fri 21st June, those deliverers of disruption in the free from category, CRAVE, were crowned Free From Small Brand of the Year and their gluten and milk free snack, The Big Dipper, won the coveted title of Free From Food Product of the Year.
Appealing to kids of all ages with its brilliantly imaginative design, exciting colours, and tasty, free from contents the creamy, rich hazelnut spread paired with crunchy breadsticks was declared “a unique offering in the free from category”, by one of the judges, while another described the product as “perfect for lunchboxes or as a handy on-the-go treat."
And over in the Drink Awards corner, Gun Brewery scooped two golds, and their Numb Angel Lager won the Free From Drink Product of The Year. “A refreshing choice for summer with its light golden colour and fresh taste. With organic ingredients and a smooth, drinkable nature", gushed one judge. “Ideal for those new to craft beers, it offers a gentle introduction with its subtle flavours.”
Asda retained Retailer of the Year award, and continue to offer an impressive selection of foods for the allergic community not just within their core Free From range, but at Easter and across many of their main category ranges, while the Co-op successfully defended their Convenience Retailer of the Year crown.
“Year on year the quality of entries increases, with the focus moving from showstopping, groundbreaking innovation, to product delivery - such as packaging and quality evolution, which is closing the gap between free from and main category alternatives”, said Awards’ CEO, Cressida Langlands. “But for that food to be truly safe we believe that everyone in the industry should be collaborating to ensure a uniform approach to clear ingredient labelling.”
Sponsor Tanya Ednan Laperouse of the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation introduced the winner of the Free From Hero Award, Julianne Ponan MBE; “not only is she the founder of an innovative young brand specialising in Top 14 Allergen Free products, she campaigns for safer spaces like airlines and schools, and raises awareness of allergies through her free School Assembly campaign, and her life goal is to improve the lives of people living with food hypersensitivities around the world.”
Find all medallists here on the Free From Food Awards new filterable winners page!
About Free From Food Awards
The Free From Food Awards, the UK's only industry awards for ‘free from’ food and drink, were launched in 2008 to encourage innovation and celebrate excellence in the free from food and drink industry.
Since 2008, thousands of free from products have been blind tasted by the Free From Food Awards specialist judging panels, featuring chefs, developers, manufacturers, nutritionists and allergy reactors. Many of the judges are well-known figures in the food and allergy worlds.
Feedback from the Free From Food Awards panels has proved invaluable to manufacturers and we pride ourselves in having been instrumental in encouraging development and innovation in the free from market.
The awards are entirely independent, supported by sponsorship and entry fees only.
Contacts: For more information, interviews, images or an informal chat please contact Cressida Langlands on 07790 869706 or Nicki Clowes on 07507 876673.
