New green category in ‘Mercabarna Innova’ awards

A new category focused on ‘green’ products is being added to the ‘Mercabarna Innova’ awards this year.

As Barcelona’s wholesale food hub, Mercabarna is holding what will be the second edition of the awards as a way to recognise innovation by companies within the complex.

The first category in the ‘Mercabarna Innova’ awards recognises innovation in the creation of new products, formats, packaging and food safety. Projects related to new business models, mobility, sustainability and innovation in customer services will also be accepted. The winner in this category will receive a prize of €6,000 and the runner-up €4,000.

The winner of the new, second category focusing on the development of green products will receive €6,000.

Companies interested in participating may submit their projects from May 2 until August 31, Mercabarna said in a press release.

It said the awards will be judged by a prestigious panel comprised of renowned professionals and experts in the food industry who will take into account criteria such as originality, sustainability and the extent of implementation in the market.

The panel members are Enric Ezquerra, Chairman of the Catalan Association of Distributors and Supermarkets; Jaume Llopis, Professor at IESE Business School; Josep Maria Monfort, Director of Research and Technology, Food and Agriculture (IRTA); Lourdes Reig, Vice-rector of International Relations at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia; and Toni Valls, Director General of Alimentaria Exhibitions.

Read about last year’s winners here: Mercabarna rewards innovation with new awards