Rural Business - Local Food Initiatives
BRITISH FOOD FORTNIGHT
That time of year is nearly upon us once again when we
have the opportunity to show off the best of British food
and drink. Now in its third year, British Food Fortnight
aims to highlight regional and local food and its producers.
Taking place between 18th September and 3rd October, this
year is all about "putting the 'ooO' back into food"
with an emphasis on food education and food as a part of
out heritage.
Derbyshire retailers are all invited to take part in this
year's British Food Fortnight by stocking the delicious
and diverse range of food and drink that our county offers.
The event, now in its third year, has proved to have a serious
impact on sales. Last year, 97% of retailers taking part
increased their sales of regional food and drink by in excess
of 16% as a direct result of the event and saw an average
increase in sales of £650 per store during the fortnight.
For information on how to take part and advice on maximising
the commercial benefits from the promotion, including advice
on contacting the media see the enclosed guide - Britain's
Regional Food & Drink - Advice for Retailers and Caterers.
For further details, visit www.britishfoodfortnight.co.uk
or call 020 7840 9292. The website is well worth a visit,
providing information on what events are taking place in
the fortnight, access to promotional material and so on.
LOCAL FOODS
Useful sources of information on local food producers include
the 'Savour of the Flavour of the Peak District' for food
and drink in and around the Peak District National Park:
visit www.peakdistrictfoods.co.uk.
The Farm Retail Association can help you find suppliers
of locally produced fruit, vegetables, meats, cheeses and
other foods by visiting either www.farmshopping.com
or call 0845 230 2150.
Another source of local and regional produce, including
organic and unusual items, is Peak District Fine Foods.
Established last year by husband and wife team Peter and
Ruth Dennett, Peak District Fine Foods buy from producers
across the Peak District, Derbyshire Dales and Staffordshire
Moorlands and then sell on, delivering straight to your
door.
Visit www.peakdistrictfinefoods.co.uk
or contact Ruth on 01332 883616 for more information.
EAST MIDLANDS REGIONAL FOOD AND DRINK FAIR 2004
Anticipated to be the largest event ever to be held in
the region, this year's East Midlands Regional Food &
Drink Fair will be held at Melton Mowbray's Cattle Market
on 8th, 9th and 10th October. The following Monday, after
the main public event, will be set aside for trade only
where exhibitors will meet major buyers for the region and
beyond.
The event will include celebrity chef's Anthony Worrell-Thompson
and Sophie Grigson, together with hundreds of stands cooking
and selling East Midlands produce.
To participate in the festival contact the festival co-ordinators
Infodex on 0870 225 3936 or the Melton Mowbray Food Partnership
on 01664 569388.
New Guide to Community Food Initiatives
A new guide to Community Food Initiatives in Derbyshire
has been compiled by Derbyshire Rural Community Council.
The guide lists all manner of schemes and projects set up
to encourage and promote both local and organic food production
and healthy eating.
To find out how you can receive a copy, contact Kate Learmouth
at katel@derbysrcc.org.uk
or call 01629 824797. If you'd like to discuss any aspect
of the directory or find out how you can become involved
with any of the projects contact Frances Ward on 01629 821929
or at francesw@derbysrcc.org.uk
