Heinz Food Heroes finalists announced

Heinz Food Heroes – the new awards programme from Heinz and Arena – has selected 24 finalists from the many entries that flooded in from across the UK over the last two months. The finalists, who come from all corners of the food industry, have all gone above and beyond to make an exceptional difference to their community over the last year. One winner from each category – ‘Individual’ and ‘Team’ – will win a £5,000 grant to put towards a training programme or apprenticeship of their choice.

At Heinz, making a positive contribution to the world through food is a crucial brand philosophy. This is why the Heinz Food Heroes awards initiative was launched in July this year, to recognise the inspiring work and dedication from both individuals and teams to support their communities in what has been an exceptionally tough and challenging time.

Feeding the NHS and the elderly, morale-boosting online fitness classes, tackling mental health, family cookery classes, providing meals for the homeless, and a soup kitchen all featured among the finalists’ achievements.

Lorraine Wood, director of Arena, said: “People’s generosity, kindness and pure willingness to help those around them is astounding and it was really heart-warming to read all the Heinz Food Heroes entries. It was an extremely difficult task for us all to select and agree on the finalists.”