Suffolk Agricultural Association (SAA) is again sponsoring the Food and Farming Excellence category in the East Anglian Daily Times Business Awards which are currently open for entries.

The Food and Farming Excellence award aims to celebrate the contribution that food producers and the food supply chain makes to the economy of the region, with primary producers, processors, manufacturers and retailers of food and drink all eligible to enter.

The winner will be a business able to demonstrate innovation and a strong all-round performance over the past 12 months.

The judge will be examining the overall enterprise management, including buying and marketing policies, employment, investment and use of capital, future business planning, including product development, business integration and long-term investment, and involvement with local communities demonstrating social responsibility.

Chris Bushby, executive director of the SAA, said: “As an association whose members diligently produce food that appears on the shelves of major supermarkets and as ingredients for some of the leading food brands our role is to raise awareness and promote the quality and integrity of Suffolk produce and its agricultural community.

“As a county we are fortunate to be able to ‘look local’ for our food and drink, which will be even more apparent at this year’s Suffolk Show on May 28 and 29.

“As a charity which was set up in 1831, with one of its major objectives being the promotion and advancement of agricultural and allied industries, the SAA acts as a catalyst in bringing together the many different elements of farming and rural life which make our county a driving force in the region’s and UK’s agricultural industry.

“Our membership is diverse from major farmers supplying beet to British Sugar, vegetables to the major supermarkets, blackcurrants to Ribena and apples to Mr Kipling for his pies, to rape seed oil producers, malt for Maltesers and high quality dairy products from smaller producers to some of the country’s leading delicatessens and specialist stores.”

And Mr Bushby added: “We very much look forward to seeing the innovation and creativity that comes out of these awards and commend the EADT for giving the producers such prominence.”

The 2014 EADT Business Awards, which will be announced at a black-tie dinner ceremony at the SAA’s Trinity Park conference and events centre on Thursday, July 10, include a range of categories offering opportunities for recognition for businesses of all sizes from all sectors.

For full details of all the categories, including how to enter, visit the dedicated awards website at www.eadtbusinessawards.co.uk.The closing date for entries is April 23.