The founder of a pioneering organic company is the winner of the first Oak Award to recognise an individual’s outstanding organic contribution, presented on 25 October at the Yeo Valley canteen.
Susie Hewson founder of Natracare was chosen by judges from the Organic Trade Board (OTB) and the Organic Research Centre to be a topical and worthy recipient of the inaugural award.
Representatives of her company were at the awards ceremony to receive the award, which was made from a 150 year-old oak tree, created by Parlour Furniture, to reflect the natural strength, longevity and resilience of organic principles.
Adrian Blackshaw, chairman of OTB said “I am delighted that the inaugural Oak Award has been presented to Susie. Her business Natracare is part of the organic sector that continues to grow and strengthen year on year. She is a very worthy recipient who came through a very competitive shortlist. Throughout the selection process, her nomination stood out.
Going plastic-free in 1993, so far ahead of the curve that this issue wasn’t on most businesses agenda at the time, is indicative of her commitment to the environment”, he added.
Hewson started her organic feminine hygiene company in 1989 about becoming concerned about the toxic pollution created by the processing and manufacturing of conventional sanitary products.
Natracare created the world’s first certified, 100% cotton tampons and plastic-free sanitary pads.
Susie Hewson said “she was honoured to receive the very first Oak Award” and thanked the OTB for recognising her contribution to making organic menstrual products an important category in the organic industry.
“For the past 30 years, I’ve been fighting a battle in a market dominated by global giants to fulfil my passion of putting people and planet first. At times is has been brutally tough, exhausting and challenging, but the rewards of eventually seeing organic period products becoming established and Natracare’s global reach makes all that hard work worthwhile,” she said.
There were four other worthy candidates on the final shortlist:
At the ceremony, a presentation of two oak candlesticks was made posthumously to Peter Melchett, a campaigning practical organic farmer, most recently Policy Director of the Soil Association, who died on 5 September 2018. Joanna Lewis of the Soil Association, received the award on behalf of his family.
The Awards ceremony was held as part of a fundraising event for the Organic Research Centre, sponsored by Yeo Valley and attended by nearly 100 guests.
Professor Nic Lampkin, Chief Executive of the Organic Research Centre (ORC) said: “We are proud to have been associated with the first Oak Awards, and the achievements of all the nominees. ORC’s work is focused on practical research in participation with innovative farmers and businesses, and the awards have illustrated the pioneering role played by many organic farmers and businesses.”
He added: “Ecological innovation is particularly important for the development of more sustainable food and farming systems and it will be important to ensure that the UK focuses more resources on this, as access to EU research funding seems likely to be less easy post Brexit. Farmers and businesses need to be fully engaged with this process.”
Download our souvenir booklet on the Oak Award with winners and nominees here
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