Two food producers from the south west have won delicious. Produce Awards and three others were highly commended.

Primrose Herd from Redruth topped the ‘From the Field, Artisan’ category with its hogs pudding while Riverford Organic Farmers from Buckfastleigh won the ‘From the Earth, Primary’ category their award with their mini cucumbers.

From more than 1,000 public nominations 76 products were shortlisted for the final tasting. The winners were selected after tasting by a judging panel including food writer Matthew Fort, restaurateur and broadcaster Andi Oliver, John Farrand of The Guild of Fine Food and delicious. editor Karen Barnes.

Sally and Bill Lugg are the couple behind Primrose Herd in Redruth. The venture started after Sally took on managing her father’s traditional-breed large black pigs, as well as her own Gloucestershire Old Spots, after he passed away. The small team at Primrose Herd is deeply enthusiastic about heritage breeds and take immense care in rearing pigs that enjoy a happy, free-ranging life. Slaughter and butchery are done on-site and a range of pork joints, cured and smoked meats and charcuterie is created. The Luggs sell their wares at farmers’ markets and supply local restaurants. As members of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and the British Pig Association, Primrose Herd demonstrates devotion to all things porcine. Sally is a council member of the Pedigree Pork and Education committee and is always eager to educate the public about traditional-breed pigs.

The judges described the hogs pudding as “an absolute thing of wonder with a beautiful sweet porkiness and lovely pepperiness to it.”

Guy Watson began Riverford Organic Farmers by delivering boxes of vegetables to 30 friends in Devon. Surprised by its success, he set up his veg box scheme in 1993 and today Riverford Organic Farms delivers fresh fruit and vegetables to more than 47,000 customers a week in England and South Wales. The organic farm grows 100-plus types of fruit and vegetables, including the award winning mini cucumbers. Many non-organic cucumbers are grown hydroponically but Riverford’s are grown in soil and the taste difference is noticeable. Winner of Ethical Product of the Decade at the Observer Ethical Awards 2015, Riverford continues to work on minimising its environmental impact and, in response to demand, has partnered with regional farms across the country to expand the business, while decreasing food miles and supporting local enterprise and employment.

The judges found Riverford’s mini cucumbers to be “sweet, with perfume and a subtle hint of bitterness to balance.”

Three other food producers from the south west also won three ‘highly commended’ awards. Plymouth’s Sole of Discretion was highly commended for its pollock, Kennford’s Orange Elephant Ice Cream was honoured for its Elderflower and Lime Yoghurt Ice Cream and the Editor’s Choice was Cusgarne Organic Farm Grass-fed Organic Double Forerib of Beef.