Copas recognised as top small turkey processor

Copas Traditional Turkeys has been named small processing business of the year at the 2014 Meat and Poultry Processing Awards.

Trade magazine Meat Trades Journal is behind the awards, which were held at the Hilton, Manchester, on 19 February.

The Copas citation said judges felt the firm had “innovated and adapted to create a first-rate business and highly regarded brand throughout the sector”. They pointed to a move from selling whole birds to portions as an example of this innovation.

The business grows 40,000 turkeys for Christmas, and has recently introduced a limited range of Very Very Special Chicken , which will make use of the firm’s processing plant outside of turkey season. Following a successful run of Christmas chickens, another crop is being grown in time for Easter.

Sarah Copas, company director, called the award a “wonderful achievement that recognises the dedication of our team to maintain the outstanding quality of our turkeys and chicken”, adding judges were impressed with the traditional production methods, such as hand-plucking and game hanging, that were employed.

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