Celebrating a free from Christmas

The 2022 Free From Christmas Awards judging took place at the beginning of October; please find all the Winners here!

The Free From Christmas Awards are designed to recognise and celebrate festive products. Christmas, for many, is one of the biggest celebrations of the year, with seasonal ranges being increasingly important to the allergic consumer. Given the extent of innovation in the free from Christmas offer, and the desire of producers, suppliers and retailers to have their products recognised, coupled with the success of last year’s cycle, we’re delighted to be running this bespoke awards cycle for a second year!

Introducing the categories for our 2022 cycle

Visit the Categories page for more detail.

The categories are also visible on the Entry Page.

Key Dates

• Entry opened 18th July
• Entry closed 5pm Friday September 9th – but you will be able to edit product entry forms until 5pm Friday 30th September
• Judging dates – read about the judging process and find out samples & shipping instructions

  Tues 4th October: 10am – After Dinner; 3pm – Drinks

  Weds 5th October: 10am – Christmas Dinner; 2pm – Party Food

  Thurs 6th October: 10am – Advent Calendars & Gifting; 2pm – Tea Time

• Medal Winners shared with entrants week commencing 10th October
• Awards Announcements begin 7pm Tuesday 1st November – join us on either Twitter or Instagram.
• Product feedback available on request

Entry Fees:

• £185 + VAT per product (Big Brand); £105 + VAT per product if you have 3 or fewer employees (Small Brand)

Benefits of entering

• Unique – we are the only UK award dedicated to free from food and drink, and as such we are a ‘go to’ for the free from & allergic consumer.
• Value – every entry gets its time in the spotlight with our panels of expert judges.
• Standout – our logo resonates with consumers, it helps them identify safe, quality products  and outstrips other mainstream awards as a trusted certification 
• Feedback – receive valuable insights on your entry, plus observations and insights on the wider category in which the product was entered.
• Communication – we support entrants across our social platforms which have a combined following of 16K. 
• Community – join other like-minded and energetic free from professionals.
• Confidence – entering our awards displays a belief in a product which increases consumer confidence and trust in your brand.

The Real Benefits of entering the Free From Awards

The Free From Food Awards are the UK’s only award that recognises all aspects of free from foods. Launched in 2008, they are well recognised and trusted within the industry and consumer awareness has grown considerably over the last few years, totalling over 16k followers across social platforms.

Our awards recognise and celebrate safe, quality & innovative free from products and we are committed to, and invest in, supporting, promoting & encouraging quality, innovation & execution within the free from category and by doing so aid the lives of the free from consumer. 

At a glance

• Differentiate your product or brand  – our logo is instantly recognisable to and resonates with consumers, helping them identify safe, quality products, providing reasons to try something new.
  • Entering demonstrates a strong belief in a product which instils consumer confidence hence the value in displaying an entrant logo  

• Use the FFFA logos free of charge if you enter, are shortlisted, or win! 

• Expert judges & invaluable feedback – every product is judged by a carefully curated panel ensuring all aspects of the product are considered
  • Bespoke feedback on every entry PLUS you have the opportunity to add areas you would most welcome feedback and ask specific questions of our judges
  • Insights on the wider free from category PLUS observations from judging sessions

• Entrants are supported across our social platforms with a combined following of over 16k
  • For Christmas we will announce all brand entrants and medal winning products will be featured throughout November & December 
  • Opportunities to run bespoke give-aways at no additional cost (aside from the product/prize)

Further Insights:

• Research conducted by ourselves and others show that few awards genuinely resonate with consumers BUT the Free From Food Awards, along with the Great Taste Awards do, with both acting as indicators of trust and quality. The right award logo really does differentiate a product or brand.
• And in recent research conducted by FieldAgent, the Free From Food Awards far outstrip other highly credible awards in terms of providing a trusted certification amongst a select free from audience!

Customer loyalty:

The need for free from foods can create regimented shopping behaviour that can restrict discovery.  An award-winning logo makes a product stand-out and compete within a crowded space: 

• Products displaying an award winning logo can & do challenge consumer behaviour. 
• For a retailer, offering a cohesive award-winning range of products prompts reevaluation amongst the consumer. It can offer a reason to visit a different retailer.
• If your customer likes what they purchase they will be back! The free from consumer is extremely loyal and getting it right for them pays, with the benefits extending beyond free from. 

Your brand

Showcasing your brand and what you do in short, snappy moments online is key

• Award shortlists or wins further reinforce this e.g. you can share one simple social media post promoting your win and garner notable engagements, shares, and likes – and we all know how the free from consumer loves to share!
• It is an increasingly excellent way of engaging with your audience and attracting new people to your business. 

A unique collaboration 

We are unique in the collaborative approach we take with every entrant. We actively encourage entrants to fully leverage the benefits of entering and to take a proactive role, sharing their ideas and suggestions and working together to add genuine value to entrants, making the awards a pivotal part of their brand and/or activation strategies.