John Kenny’s Happy Hogs business has won the Plough to Plate category, sponsored by Anglia Farmers, in this year’s Eastern Daily Press Norfolk Food Awards.

Based at Spratts Green near Aylsham, Happy Hogs is an outdoor pig rearing operation which includes rare breeds such as British Lops, Large Black, Middle Whites and Berkshires.

One of 10 categories – ranging from Best Farm Shop and Best Farmers’ Market to Chef of the Future – agricultural purchasing group Anglia Farmers sponsored the Plough to Plate Category as being most relevant for its members.

The judges were Anglia Farmers chief executive Clarke Willis, Karen Willis of Source & Season and Ian Clarke, Eastern Daily Press Dereham office chief reporter. They were looking for people who are passionate about what they grow or rear and have the talent and skill to add value to their produce by producing and marketing an outstanding food product. They also needed to show environmental credentials and demonstrate contribution to the local community.

The runners up alongside Happy Hogs were soft fruits grower Peter Dickie of Wicklewood near Wymondham and The Green Grocers of Norwich which combines a store stocking a range of seasonal local and organic food and a café which champions produce from Norfolk suppliers.

In a very strong group of nominations, the judges felt John had the real X-factor and ticked all the boxes in the whole process of farmyard to fork. As a small operation, he can prove complete traceability. His skills and devotion are being recognised including being a winner in the 2007 Britain's Best Dish contest with his slow-cooked crispy belly of pork. You have to see with your own eyes the care he gives to the pigs during their lives and after they die. There are so many strong examples of local enterprises showing passion in producing quality food and John stood out as a worthy winner.

Chief executive Clarke Willis said:

“We congratulate Happy Hogs and the other finalists. I think awards like this are excellent because they reinforce a very positive message to both the producer and consumer that Norfolk delivers some of the best food in the country.

“The Plough to Plate category also raises awareness about where all Norfolk’s good food comes from and the important role our farmers have within the food production supply chain.”

The Finalists

Happy Hogs- John Kenny rears outdoor pigs from rare breeds British Lops, Large Black, Middle Whites and Berkshires. He has a clear ethos of raising and feeding them as naturally as possible. They are allowed to mature at their own pace and each group has an area with grass, trees, piggy houses and a muddy wallowing pool and the pigs are clearly content. John sells at four farmers' markets and does outside catering and supplies food outlets, including a leading tourist attractions. The abattoir he uses is within eight miles and the butcher is only a couple of miles away. John does his own sausage rolls, pork pies, pate and terrines.

Peter Dickie - Peter started the enterprise in the mid 1990s and grows strawberries and a range of other soft fruit and concentrates on local sales to greengrocers, caterers, wholesalers and at farmers markets. He can boast full traceability. Eco-packaging is important to the business and only compostable woodpulp punnets are used. Peter's daughter Catriona is now heading up the farmhouse-produced Wood Berry conserves with 85pc fruit which have been shortlisted for the 2009 Country Living/Waitrose Food Awards. Two of the catchphrases which sum up the low sugar spreads are "punnet of fruit in a pot" and "taste the summer not the sugar."

The Green Grocers- The expanding enterprise - which combines a store stocking a range of seasonal local and organic food and a cafe which champions produce from Norfolk suppliers - is proving successful despite being right opposite a Somerfield supermarket and based at the back of an ageing 1960s concrete complex. The Green Grocers is a community hub with an ethical motto of "eat, drink and think." It has a growing relationship with suppliers of produce including fruit, vegetables, meat, beer, bread, cheese and fish. The business has made factsheets giving information on the suppliers and suggesting a range of recipes. There is also a once a month farmers' market outside the shop.