A BUSINESS with strong Herefordshire routes has been honoured with a King's Award for Enterprise.

S&A Produce is the UK’s largest independent Strawberry grower, with its home farm in Herefordshire, farms in South Wales and Kent, and overseas operations in South America and Spain.

It is one of 252 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise.

Announced on May 6, S&A has been recognised for its excellence in Innovation. A total of 257 awards have been made, with five companies being recognised with two Awards.

ALSO READ:

Group managing director Peter Judge said: ‘The Award for Innovation in 2024 reflects the hard work of the S&A team in bringing market changing genetics to growers across Europe and North America and we are truly humbled to be recognised through the Kings Award for Enterprise - Innovation.

"This follows 2023, when our Lady Emma Strawberry Variety was awarded three stars in the International Taste Institute - Superior Taste Awards.

"The unique S&A TLC model of knowledge exchange has been recognised as a key part of our award. It supports and delivers a sustainable and resilient return for independent growers, their colleagues and the communities where they live and work.

"Our grower partners' feedback confirms our genetics are transformative and lead the future of modern soft fruit production through the full supply chain from breeding to propagation through grower and customers."

What are your thoughts?

You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here.

Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed last year to reflect the King’s desire to continue the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II’s by recognising outstanding UK businesses.

The award programme, now in its 58th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards emblem for the next five years.

Applications for King’s Awards for Enterprise 2025 opened on May 6, 2024. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise