Food company rewarded with business award.

Byline: Karen Dent

ACOMPANY that has been operating for less than two years has been crowned Wansbeck Business of the Year Food Local Food, based between Ashington and Morpeth, was set up by Alison Taylor because of her passion for locally produced food and frustration at being unable to find it in many supermarkets.

The company, which employs nine people, now provides locally sourced food from 120 suppliers for sale to consumers through its website - which also picked up the technical award on Thursday night.

Mrs Taylor said: "It's amazing. To get recognition for what we're trying to do, which is to support these local suppliers, felt absolutely amazing.

"Our technology is everything. The logistics and the system make it cost effective to do what we do."

Food Local Food is now in the process of expanding to triple the size of its warehousing so it can provide more produce to wholesalers, after receiving a grant from Go Wansbeck.

It has just recruited two additional staff and will shortly be looking for extra drivers, packers and distribution workers.

This year's Wansbeck Business Awards, which aim to stimulate and recognise the spirit of enterprise in the area, were held at Merchant Court in North Seaton and were again backed by Rio Tinto Alcan in Lynemouth.

Rio Tinto Alcan's John McCabe said: "Our congratulations go to Alison Taylor and Food Local Food. The venture is a true business success story, not only creating jobs locally but also supporting the local economy and other businesses in the borough."

The event, which was hosted by North East comedian Brendan Healy, recognised the All-in-One Company as New Business of the Year. The Ashington business, recently featured in nebusiness, makes bespoke sleepsuits for children and adults.

The judges were so impressed by this year's standard of entries that they created a new category - the Wansbeck Spirit of Enterprise Award. It was presented to three businesses - Mini Pony Hire, Mr Booncy and Nevins Nibbles.

Ken Hastie, manager of event organisers the Wansbeck Business Forum, said: "We continue to be extremely impressed by Wansbeck's business men and women whose energy, determination and creativity were evident in the quality of entries we received."

Other winners: Retailer Award: Twins UK Tourism Award: Coble Cottage Business Incubation Award: Party Smiles Young Entrepreneur: Party Smiles Social Enterprise Award: Watbus Employer of the Year: The Swan at Choppington Educational Project: Ringway First School (Primary); Bedlington High School (Secondary).

CAPTION(S):

SUCCESS The award-winning Food Local Food team with,far right, John McCabe of Rio Tinton Alcan, Food Local Food director Suzi Howey, second from right, and founder Alison Taylor, third from right.