Hall Hunter Partnership has been named Best Place to Work and Fresh Produce Business of the Year at the FPC Fresh Awards 2026, capping a landmark year for the Surrey-based soft fruit grower as it celebrates 60 years in business.
Organised by the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC), the annual Fresh Awards celebrate excellence across the fresh produce, cut flower and plant industries, recognising outstanding businesses, people, innovation and achievements across the sector.
The double win recognises Hall Hunter’s continued investment in its people, alongside its contribution to the future of British berry production.
Best Place to Work
Hall Hunter Partnership was named Best Place to Work, sponsored by Freeths, recognising its commitment to creating a supportive and rewarding environment for both its permanent and seasonal workforce.
The award follows a year in which Hall Hunter was also named on The Sunday Times Best Places to Work List. An external employee satisfaction survey conducted in partnership with WorkL saw the business achieve an 87% employee engagement score, significantly above the industry average, with 91% of respondents saying they feel proud to work for Hall Hunter.
The business also has a 75% seasonal worker return rate, reflecting the strength of its culture among colleagues who return year after year.
Hall Hunter continues to invest in training and development through leadership and early careers programmes, apprenticeships, graduate opportunities and innovative initiatives including VR training for strawberry pickers. More than £1 million has also been invested over the past three years in improved seasonal worker accommodation.
Fresh Produce Business of the Year
Hall Hunter was also named Fresh Produce Business of the Year, sponsored by CHEP.
Selected from the winners of the other FPC Fresh Awards categories, the award recognises excellence across the whole business and Hall Hunter’s continued investment in the future of British berry production.
Nigel Jenney, chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium, said: “Hall Hunter Partnership’s achievement is impressive because its progress reaches across the whole business. It is developing its people, finding new ways to grow and harvest, and investing in the future of British berries. The judges saw a business setting a high standard for the industry, and I am delighted to see that recognised.”
The awards come during Hall Hunter’s 60th anniversary year, marking six decades of growth. What began in 1966 as a small family start up, is now one of the UK’s leading soft fruit businesses employing over 1,500 people at peak period.
Jim Floor, MD at Hall Hunter comments: “We are extremely proud of this achievement and would like to say a huge thank you to everyone across the business whose hard work, care and commitment made it possible. We would also like to thank the Fresh Produce Consortium, the judges and the category sponsors.”
