Member Article

Fresh firm named top banana

A North East-based fresh produce specialist is celebrating after winning two national prizes at its industry awards, the second of which recognises the company as the best in the UK. After scooping the ‘Wholesaler of the Year’ award, J.R. Holland went on to win ‘Overall Produce Trader of the Year’, for which Tesco, Waitrose, Iceland and Somerfield were all in the running.

The accolade was given to family-owned J.R. Holland for its achievements in the fresh produce sector. It is the first time the company has entered and won awards at the annual re: fresh ceremony.

Owner John Holland said: “This is a magnificent achievement and is testament to the hard work, dedication and commitment of the whole team to bring this award to the region. “We were optimistic about the wholesaler of the year award; to win that was an outstanding accomplishment in its own right. But to be recognised by our industry peers as the best in the business by winning the overall produce trader of the year, against huge competition, is absolutely amazing. “This is a massive boost for our suppliers and the North East’s fresh produce sector. We are very proud to be flying the flag for the region and look forward to building on this success.”

Based at the Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market at Team Valley, J.R. Holland supplies fruit and vegetables to all the Local Education Authorities in North-East England and is an ambassador for the national ‘5 a day’ campaign.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .