Ten prominent business leaders in food and agriculture have come together for an iconic portrait by renowned photographer Jenny Lewis. The all-female shot was commissioned by the East of England Co-op to mark the tenth anniversary of its award-winning Sourced Locally initiative, which brings local produce to shoppers. The portrait celebrates ten inspiring women who are helping to lead the future of food and drink production
Each of the 10 entrepreneurs are heavily involved in their respective food businesses, from managing farms to leading their own companies and creating new products. Some are part of a family collective, others have set out alone, but each has played a critical role in the success of their business.
The group are spread across Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk and between them have racked up an impressive collection of awards, accolades and fans. All have their produce stocked in East of England Co-op food stores as part of the Co-op’s Sourced Locally initiative.
The ten participants, shown from left to right in the portrait, are: Emily French, Business Partner at Foxes Farm, which grows and supplies pumpkins and Christmas trees; Sue Whitehead, Business Partner and Rebecca Miles, Farm Manager (mother and daughter) at Lane Farm, producer of pork products;
Louise Jones, Chief Executive Officer at Dan Hull Prepared Food, which sells premium, fresh and frozen, local, handmade food; Sarah Savage, Founder and Director at Essence Foods, which produces jams, mustards and chutneys;
Fiona Brice, Joint Director at Havensfield Eggs, producers of fully traceable, free range eggs; Deborah Coe, Business Partner at Great Tilkey Honey, famed for its 100% natural Essex and Suffolk honey; Laura Strathern, Joint Owner at Fairfield Farm Crisps, made from home-grown crisping potatoes at her farm
Stephany Hardingham, Founder at Alder Tree Cream Ices, fruit flavoured cream ice created from a family recipe using fruit from the family farm; Hannah Marriage, Director at Marriage’s Flour, a family-run miller in Essex now in its 193rd year of producing flour.
Award-winning portrait photographer Jenny Lewis is best known for her revered One Day Young project, which captures mothers within the first 24 hours since having a baby. She has also photographed of a host of well-known female icons, including Dame Maggie Smith, Keira Knightley, Celia Imrie and Naomi Harris.
Bron: Caught on camera – women shaping the future of British produce