Food and Farming Awards 2012

In a few weeks' time we'll be off again on our annual search for the best in British food. Not just the best tasting - though that's crucial - but the food that's changing the country and us for the better, even in the midst of this recession. Food that's reviving towns, creating fulfilling jobs, boosting the economy, involving people in the food system, preserving what's local and helping to teach our children the pleasures and value of food.

We depend on BBC audiences to bring the finalists and eventual winners to our attention. Thousands of listeners to The Food Programme, Farming Today, You and Yours and Local Radio, together with viewers of programmes like Countryfile and Masterchef realise they have a food gem within their community and send in a nomination.

Farmers, cooks, market traders, food and drink producers and retailers are all in the game - but we're also looking for the people who help make us change the way we think about food, and so writers, campaigners, bloggers and broadcasters are also celebrated at these awards.

Last year's winners

Our hall of fame is impressive, last year you told us about the Loch Arthur Creamery in South West Scotland, making what the Chair of Judges in 2011 Richard Corrigan described as some of Britain's finest cheeses. The creamery is staffed by people living in the Loch Arthur Camphill community: 70 people, many described as having learning disabilities, but who know how to produce prize-winning cheeses from the milk of their own herds--and how to make their business pay. They won the Best Producer award and demonstrated that great cheese also doesn't have to be expensive.

You also told us about Jack and Linda Mills on Brighton Beach serving the best hot fish sandwiches with the fish sourced from local day boats. Mr & Mrs Mills won our Best Takeaway / Streetfood category.

Then there was Bolton Market in Lancashire, the best in Britain last year thought our judges, with incredible displays of fresh fish, meat and veg, inexpensive great food that seriously rivals anything a major supermarket can provide.

The winner of the Best Local Food Retailer was Brockweir and Hewelsfield village shop in Chepstow, full of local produce, staffed by volunteers and a model for what communities can create when their old shops close down.

Nominations for the 2012 Awards

The awards make a difference: they celebrate pioneering business ideas and give heart to people working under the media radar, who've often pulled off incredible feats when all the odds and conventional thinking were stacked against them.

Who will this year's winners be? That is down to you. It could be a cook in your local school, works canteen or residential home.... a takeaway that's doing what most takeaways don't and sourcing with imagination and flare. A farmer producing great crops who's also bringing benefits the environment..... You know who they are! Please let this year's judging team know. We'll start accepting nominations through this website from mid-June. We'll also provide more information about the judging process and this judges on this site. I look forward to reading your nominations.

Sheila Dillon.