Cardiff Farmers Markets shortlisted for UK's 'Best Organic Market' BOOM award
We are thrilled to share the news that Cardiff Farmers Markets are finalists at the BOOM (Best of Organic Market) Awards 2025 - the only organic awards in the UK, celebrating excellence in organic and recognising quality and success in the organic sector.
With our original Riverside Market launching in 1998, our markets have grown to become some of the best-known farmers' markets in the U.K. They are widely recognised as key food attractions in the Welsh capital for local residents and visitors alike, with the success of the original Riverside Market enabling us to branch out into a weekly Saturday market in Roath, and a weekly Friday market in Rhiwbina.
Now up against the best that the organic market has to offer, our markets are facing a rigorous judging process by a professional panel of industry experts. The BOOM Awards, run by leading organic certifier Soil Association Certification in partnership with headline sponsor Ocado, honour the brands, organisations and people behind the UK’s organic industry.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be named a finalist. This reflects the dedication of our local growers, market team, and partners working together to make organic food more accessible for people across Cardiff.” - Carol Adams, General Manager of Cardiff Farmers Markets.
Over the last year, as part of the UK-wide Bridging the Gap scheme, we launched The Planet Card - a collaboration between Cardiff Farmers Markets, Food Cardiff, local organic growers, and community members. Bridging the Gap is coordinated by the food and farming charity Sustain, which is testing scalable solutions to food inequality.
The Planet Card holds a value of up to £11 per week – enabling holders to switch their normal weekly shop for fruit and vegetables to organically produced versions, without being left out of pocket. Shoppers are able to use the card at a choice of organic fruit and vegetable stalls at our Roath or Riverside markets, every weekend.
The initiative is helping to ensure that high-quality, sustainable and organic fruit & veg is within reach for more people, and is contributing to a fairer, more resilient local food system in Cardiff. Cardiff University is also supporting the project through research and evaluation, to better understand its impact and contribute to policy change.
Soil Association Certification Commercial and Marketing Director, Georgia Phillips said:
“Demand is growing for organic as more people are looking for products that are better for them and the environment, so we are delighted to see Cardiff Farmers Markets named as a finalist.”
The BOOM awards finalists are being announced at a time when the UK’s organic market has shown exceptional growth (significantly outperforming non-organic), growing 7.3% in 2024. Total sales of £3.7bn are double what they were just 10 years ago (2014 - £1.86bn), according to Soil Association Certification’s 2025 Organic Market Report.
The winners will be announced at the BOOM Awards ceremony on Thursday, 10th July 2025 at Paintworks, Bristol (home of the Soil Association). You can view the full list of BOOM Awards finalists at: www.soilassociation.org/certification/events/boom-awards/boom-awards-finalists/.
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About the BOOM Awards
The Soil Association Certification BOOM Awards are the UK’s only organic awards, celebrating excellence in organic and recognising quality and success in the organic sector. Entering the BOOM Awards is an opportunity to celebrate with peers and provides a strong platform to network and access marketing materials and assets for brands to promote.
Find out more: https://www.soilassociation.org/certification/events/boom-awards/
BOOMs Food & Drink Judges:
· Xanthe Clay: chef and author
· Romy Gill: chef, author and broadcaster
· Briony May Williams: baker and presenter
· Jenny Chandler: food writer, chef and teacher
· Andy Clarke: food and drink expert
· Shonette Laffy: writer and food blogger
· Brin Birathapan: Chef and 2024 BBC Masterchef Winner