The jury of the Agro-Food Awards of Aragón met this Thursday to determine who will be distinguished in the 2026 edition. These awards, promoted by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food, aim to highlight the excellence, innovative capacity, and commitment of the Aragonese agro-food sector.
The identity of the awardees will remain a secret until the official award ceremony, scheduled for next September 9, at 18:00 hours, in the Goya Room of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food, in Zaragoza.
The councilor of the area, Arancha Simón, led the meeting and emphasized that these awards allow "to recognize the work of those who contribute every day to strengthen the agro-food sector, generate economic activity, and keep the rural Aragonese environment alive."
Simón recalled that "Aragón has farmers, ranchers, companies, cooperatives, artisans, researchers, and professionals who are an example of innovation, quality, and commitment to the territory. With these awards, we want to recognize their work and contribute to society's better understanding of the importance of an essential sector for our Community."
Tribute to Farmers
During the gala, a special recognition will also be given to the farmers who this summer collaborated in the firefighting efforts declared in different areas of Aragón.
Many professionals from the primary sector made their tractors, tanks, and other agricultural equipment available to emergency services, as well as their experience and knowledge of the terrain.
Thanks to their involvement, it was possible to support the cultivation of fields and the opening of strips that acted as firebreaks to contain the advance of the fire, in addition to the supply of water, improvement of access, and defense of crops, farms, and inhabited areas.
Six Categories in the Awards
The Agro-Food Awards of Aragón are structured in six categories: Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Product, Design or Packaging; Creation of Content and Dissemination of the Agro-Food Sector; Aragonese Agro-Food Research; Best Artisan Food Company; Ecological or Sustainability Initiative; and Special Award of the Agro-Food Sector of Aragón.
The jury has been presided over by Arancha Simón and has had Adolfo Ballestín as vice president and Aurora Cepero as secretary. Representing the Administration have participated Enrique Novales, general director of Quality and Food Safety; Carlos Calvo, general director of Common Agricultural Policy; and Ana Belén Martín, head of the Rural Infrastructure Service.
The head of the Promotion and Food Quality Service, Pilar Abad, has also attended the meeting, representing the General Directorate of Innovation and Food Promotion.
As external members, José Víctor Nogués has intervened, representing Agro-food Cooperatives of Aragón; Eva Lázaro, representing Food and Beverages of Aragón; Dr. Mónica Bueno, researcher at the Agro-food Institute of Aragón; Ovidio Ortín, representing the Association of Food Artisans of Aragón San Jorge; and Fernando Martín, on behalf of the Confederation of Hospitality and Tourism Entrepreneurs of Aragón.
The Agro-food Awards of Aragón were created with the purpose of publicly recognizing individuals, companies, and entities that stand out for their trajectory or for actions especially relevant to the sector. The recognitions do not involve financial endowment and are materialized in the delivery of an accrediting distinction.