Heinz Food Heroes winners announced

Heinz Food Heroes, the new awards programme from Heinz and Arena seeking to recognise and celebrate those within the food industry who have gone above and beyond in their community, has announced its inaugural winners. Tracey Harriott, supervisor for Starbucks at Amadeus at the NEC, was named Most Heroic Individual, while Most Heroic Team went to Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove.

Harriott’s story began five years ago when she noticed lots of food was thrown away at the end of each day at the NEC, due to expiry dates. Having just started volunteering for local charities in her community, she saw this as an opportunity to collect the food at the end of each day and deliver it to the community projects she was volunteering for. Since then, Harriott has built a network of colleagues and local businesses to gather clothes, bedding, toiletries and furniture, in addition to food. Donations are split between a number of beneficiaries, including hostels, the homeless and community sport groups designed to empower children.

“I’m in shock!” said Harriott. “I’d like to thank the team at the NEC for their continued support in both collecting and supplying donations, my colleagues and friends and family. I may co-ordinate it, but it wouldn’t be possible without all the help people are prepared and happy to give.”

Lorraine Wood, director of Arena, added: “Huge congratulations go to the winners! We’d also like to thank everyone who took part in Heinz Food Heroes. It was both inspiring and humbling to read through all the entries; we were overwhelmed by the kindness and selflessness that both individuals and teams have shown.”