Grower’s Organic, a homegrown Denver business and the state’s only 100-percent organic produce company, has announced it’s hosting the first ever Grower’s Organic Awards. These awards will recognize top-notch businesses, including restaurants, grocers and growers.

“At Grower’s Organic we firmly believe in enriching the community with quality, service and passion for all things organic,” said Brian Freeman, co-founder and leader of Grower’s Organic. “We are excited to recognize businesses that share the same thought process as we do, living organically is truly a way of life that should ultimately be recognized and shared with the community through outreach, education and offering top products.”

Incorporated in 2005, Grower’s Organic was established to provide customers a direct link to the local farmers that harvest the food used each and every day. From the city’s hottest restaurants to small and large grocers, there’s a chance that the fresh produce from Grower’s Organic has been put on your table. Grower’s Organic purchases certified organic produce from 60 farms across Colorado alone as well as farms in California and Mexico. The company distributes the farm fresh fruits and vegetables to more than 150 restaurants, grocery stores and local co-operatives located in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and New Mexico.

As a staple in the organic community, Grower’s Organic is requiring that each award recipient will have proven excellence in their dedication to organic products and processes, placing a special emphasis on the benefits of environmental sustainability. Nominations will be accepted starting September 10, 2012 and the submission deadline for candidates is September 24, 2012. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2012. The Grower’s Organic Awards will be awarding 9 organic leaders, within three different categories. The awards include:

Best Local Organic Restaurant (Award 1: Proves best use of seasonal organic products/ Award 2: Most resourceful use of organics/ Award 3: Most beneficial use of on-site organic garden)

Best Organic Grocers (Award 1: Best selection of organic produce available/ Award 2: Most informative to consumers (provisions of organic recipes, organic knowledge, etc.)/Award 3: Best community involvement (by employees)

Best Organic Growers (Award 1: most exotic item grown by organic farmers/ Award 2: Exemplifies employee support/ Award 3: Community involvement (educational aspects, field trip availability, etc.)

Winners of the Grower’s Organic Awards will receive full recognition for their contributions to living organic. They will receive a gift certificate from Grower’s Organic to continue their organic efforts. There will also be a fantastic networking opportunity, as winners will be invited to a Taste of Organic roundtable dinner with Grower’s Organic Co-Founder and Leader, Brian Freeman.

Please submit all votes to awards(at)growersorganic(dot)com and visit http://www.growersorganic.com for additional award submission details.