The Wiltshire Business of the Year Awards are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year and once again, leading fresh raw food manufacturer, Poppy’s Picnic has been nominated for an award in two categories. Winners of last year’s Start-up Business of the Year Award, this time Poppy’s Picnic have been nominated in both the Corporate, Social and Environmental Responsibly category and Small Business of the Year categories, a sign of how far the company has grown in just one year.
The Wiltshire Business of the Year Awards are the most prestigious Business Awards in the County. They have been developed by Newsquest Wiltshire in order to reward and celebrate the many dynamic and innovative businesses in the region and receive high level sponsorship from companies. The Corporate, Social and Environmental Responsibility category rewards a company based in Wiltshire that can demonstrate that its business operations have a positive effect on environmental and social wellbeing.
Since the beginning, Poppy's Picnic has always supported their local community. The DEFRA-approved company use a local 4th generation butcher to produce all their tasty recipes and are now investing in a new manufacturing plant in the County which will provide employment for the local workforce. This commitment to the local community resulted this year in Poppy’s Picnic reaching the National Finals of the Rural Business of the Year Awards and in total to date; they have won 8 regional and national awards.
Commenting on the two nominations, Founder, Dylan Watkins, said,
“We are a proud Wiltshire business and celebrate being rural. We are passionate about supporting our local community and environment. From our food that's handmade by fourth generation butchers using local produce, to our upcoming new production facility that will provide local employment opportunities, our rural heritage is at the heart of the business and will stay that way. We also use BPA free recyclable packaging for all our products and by sourcing our produce locally, we reduce our carbon footprint.”
With no hidden nasties, Poppy’s Picnic’s balanced meals contain all the goodness a dog needs for optimal health and wellbeing. The mouthwatering Mince, Meatballs and Treats can be purchased online and delivered frozen to an owner’s door or from independent pet shops around the UK. The company also ships to Hong Kong and was the first raw fresh food manufacturer to supply supermarkets in the Far East.
Dylan Watkins recently appeared with his miniature schnauzer, Poppy on Channel 4’s Couples Come Dine With Me where he showed how easy it is to make fresh food that both humans and dogs can enjoy together. He has since gone on to appear on This Morning with Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford where he cooked up fresh recipes live on air. He also appears regularly on BBC Radio Wiltshire and has appeared with The Barking Blondes, Jo Good and Anna Webb on BBC Radio London’s The Barking Hour.
The awards will be presented at a Gala Dinner on the 10th May at Centre Parcs, Longleat.
To find out more about Poppy’s Picnic visit their website: www.poppyspicnic.co.uk
