The Speciality & Fine Food Fair team were delighted to sponsor and attend the Cotswold Fayre Supplier Conference at De Vere Wokefield.  

The event, which marked 25 years of Cotswold Fayre, brought together suppliers, retailers, and industry experts for a day of insightful discussions followed by a celebratory evening party. 

Cotswold Fayre’s CEO, Paul Hargreaves, took attendees on a journey through the company’s history, from its inception to its recent exponential growth. He also highlighted the company’s deep commitment to people and sustainability, values that are central to its ongoing success. 

The conference featured a diverse range of speakers, including keynote presentations from Andrew Thornton, under whose ownership Thorntons Budgens became the first mainstream supermarket in the UK to introduce a dedicated Plastic-Free Zone, and Duncan Goose of One Water, which has a passionate mission to raise money for water projects in drought-stricken regions around the world.  

The Cotswold Fayre team also introduced attendees to the data-driven capabilities of the CoFI (Cotswold Fayre Insights) platform, offering valuable insights for suppliers working with the wholesaler.  

Speciality & Fine Food Fair charity partner, City Harvest, also took to the stage to discuss the impact of food donations from Cotswold Fayre and its retail and supplier partners to charities across London. Their work continues to make a meaningful difference in tackling food waste and hunger. 

A key highlight of the day was the independent retailers panel, featuring Tom Newey from Cobb’s Farm, Martha Ffooks from Cowdray, and Sam Riddington from Flourish. A significant talking point was the importance of producers hosting sampling sessions and equipping independent retailers with the tools they need to sell products effectively. There was also an important reminder that brands should not overlook independent retailers once they secure listings in mainstream supermarkets. Tom Newey emphasised, "Quality underpins everything we do," while Martha Ffooks advised, "Make sure your point of difference isn't a pointless difference." 

Later in the day, a session with larger retailers provided further valuable insights. Josephine Richards from Deliveroo, Jade Hoai from Whole Foods Market, and Jade Vincent from Ocado discussed their experiences working with Cotswold Fayre and explored the increasing consumer demand for speciality food in mainstream retail. 

The event concluded with an awards ceremony where Speciality & Fine Food Fair PR Director Nicola Macdonald handed out awards to innovative Cotswold Fayre producers including: 

• Sustainable Supplier of the Year – Mr Filberts 
• Best Service of the Year – Pelagonia 
• New Supplier of the Year – Mrs Tilly’s 
• Product of the Year – Love Sum 

It was a fantastic day of learning, networking, and celebration. Congratulations to Cotswold Fayre on 25 incredible years – we look forward to seeing what the next chapter holds!