Meet the finalists: Free-from Manufacturing Company of the Year

Ginger Bakers 

Ginger Bakers, the Kendal-based cake makers, currently produces and bakes a range of products containing vegetables and fruit, which were developed as a way to tap into the interest in positive nutrition including a range of free-from products. 

The focus of the bakers was to create a specific range of products that would enable people to be able to enjoy the foods it creates without having to compromise on quality or taste.  

For example, its Brazil Nut and Sour Cherry boost bar is naturally free from gluten, dairy or any additives and preservatives. Each bar is packed full of Brazil nuts and sour cherries, which provide a slow-release natural energy boost to support for the body throughout the day.

The company has gone to great lengths to ensure manufacturing process are segregated with separate storage facilities for ingredients and allergens. It has also created a separate kitchen to ensure that there is no opportunity for cross contamination. 

Just Love Food Company 

Just Love Food Company is a family-run celebration cake manufacturing site based in Blackwood, South Wales. 

It manufactures both branded and retailer labelled, hand decorated celebration cakes that specialise in allergy management and lifestyle consumers. 

This year, Just Love Food Company worked closely with a number of major UK retailers to develop their free from/vegan bakery categories. 

It has collaborated with key suppliers to bring innovation to product formulations which not only improved the quality of the products, but reduced the number of allergens present and increased the shelf life. 

Just Love Food Company is a nut-free, peanut-free and milk-free site. In the last 18 months, it has upgraded recipes to drive quality improvement. 

Moo Free

Moo Free is a ethical dairy-free, vegan chocolate brand based in the UK. 

Its entire product range is free-from dairy, gluten and soya and uses high quality, ethical chocolate. 

All of Moo Free’s chocolate is manufactured in Devon and the company works with major multiples and independents. 

It uses high-quality ingredients, including Rainforest Alliance cocoa, and is constantly reviewing its processes and procedures. Moo Free has also recently increased its technical resource to include a quality assurance operator to monitor and continually upgrade its product quality.

Moo Free introduced a collection of from-free chocolate covered goodies to its core range with the launch of Choccy Rocks in March 2022. 

The Food Manufacture Excellence Awards are also searching for nominations for the Business Leader of the Year category​. ​

The Food Manufacture Excellence Awards will take place on Thursday 9th February 2023 at the London Hilton Bankside.

To book click here​​