Local Generation Ltd are proud sponsors of the Food Producer of the Year award in the Fenland Business Awards 2017.

Local Generation is a pioneer in anaerobic digestion. Open since late 2011 they were one of the first facilities of their type in the country, diverting 30,000 tonnes of commercial and domestic food waste from landfill.

Now diverting 42,000 tonnes per annum they create biogas from the waste using a very similar process to a human digestion system, in turn this gas is used to generate electricity which is used to power the neighbouring potato factory as well as sending enough power to the national grid to power a further 2000 homes.

Commercial Manager, Lee Dobinson, said: “As sponsors of the Food Producer of the Year award, Local Generation is thrilled to be supporting the Fenland Enterprise Business Awards for another year.

“We are very interested in supporting best practice, innovation, growth and diversification in this area within the local economy.

“Within Fenland we have a wealth of food producers leading their relevant markets in all of the above areas. This award creates a platform whereby these companies can showcase their successes.”

Local Generation hope that this award will encourage businesses, no matter how large or small to think about how they can enhance their local economy as well as minimising the impact their business has on the environment.”

For more information please visit www.localgeneration.co.uk

Last year the award was won by a delighted Greenvale AP who beat the shortlisted finalists of G’s Fresh Beetroot and Cafe Skylark, Skylark Garden Centre, to pick up the prize.

At the time of receiving the award Trevor Dear of Greenvale AP said: “This is for everybody who works incredibly hard. I’m delighted.”

This category is open to any business in Fenland who is producing top quality food for the public’s consumption, either as part of a supply chain or direct sale to the public.

Those shortlisted will be invited to the awards dinner, which will take place on Friday the 22 September 22, at the Braza Club, in March.

Here Greenvale AP , who won Food Producer of the Year in 2016 answer questions on what has happened since their win last year and what winning meant for them as a company.

? Briefly what has happened to Greenvale AP since winning in 2016?

We have continued to invest in our site and our people. We also welcomed Phil McCaul to the team as site operations director responsible for the day to day running of the site and the longer term strategy.

? What have been the company’s main challenges in 2017?

Our main challenge is weather, we need the right conditions for potatoes to grow and to produce the highest quality. This season we have had to manage our crop carefully.

? What has been your biggest success in 2017?

Gaining additional volume from our retail, wholesale and manufacturing customers and that is all testament to the quality products the site produces.

? What are Greenvale AP’s plans for 2017 and beyond?

Our key aim is to remain one of the UK’s leading producers of fresh potatoes. We will continue to invest in our staff and our site.

? What did winning the awards mean to you?

Winning this award is a huge achievement and a great recognition for everyone. It is a great opportunity for the local community to understand more about us. We would recommend entering the awards.