Newton Dee nominated as Local Food Hero

Boost for bakery workers at community

First published 7 Jul 2008

Camphill’s Newton Dee bakery in Bieldside, Aberdeen has been nominated for celebrity chef Gary Rhodes’ Local Food Hero 2008 awards, for which voting closes next Monday (July 14). 

The awards, run by the UKTV Food channel, are designed to showcase Britain’s independent shops, farm stalls, artisan producers, cafes and other small food businesses.

The Newton Dee bakery has been nominated for the second year running in recognition of its use of organic materials to produce freshly-baked quality breads, cakes and biscuits, which are on sale to the public through the bakery shop, plus the Newton Dee store and café.

Newton Dee is one of six Camphill Aberdeen City and Shire communities. It offers home and meaningful work for some 80 adults with special needs. The bakery is one of a number of work opportunities within the community, along with the farms, the dairy, a number of workshops, the café, store and architectural practice.

The winners in the UKTV Local Food Hero 2008 food awards will feature as part of a TV series in November. Each episode of the series will concentrate on a specific region and focus on the organisations that demonstrate a commitment to producing, selling or serving great food.  The winner will receive £40,000 to invest in their business.

Commenting on Newton Dee’s nomination, Colin Haldane, a senior co-worker at Newton Dee, said:

“It is a tremendous boost for everyone to have been nominated for the Local Food Hero awards for the second year running. Everyone in Newton Dee takes pride in their work and in using the finest organic materials for our traditional breads, cakes and bakery products, which are freshly baked here in the village.

“The bakery gives our residents the chance to learn new skills and find purpose and achievement in the work they do. We also get great satisfaction from being able to provide a service that is valued by our neighbours in the wider community.”

Votes can be cast online at www.uktvfood.co.uk and clicking on the Local Food Hero 2008 link. Voting closes on July 14.

More than 700 people live and work in the Camphill Aberdeen City and Shire communities, which provide home, education and work opportunities for children, adults and older people. Started in Aberdeen in 1940 the Camphill Movement now extends to 100 centres with 10,000 people in 23 countries worldwide.

• The UKTV Food website is at www.uktvfood.co.uk
• The Newton Dee website www.newtondee.org.uk has more detail about the bakery and the community.
• The Camphill Aberdeen City and Shire website is at www.camphillaberdeen.org.uk

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