Can the South East become London’s Larder again?
According to the results of a feasibility study to improve regional food supply chains, there is enough demand for regional food in the capital for the regions around London to become London’s larder once again.

 

The feasibility study, published by the South East Food Group Partnership (SEFGP) focused on establishing the demand for regional food at both a consumer and buyer level, and the difficulties that impact on suppliers and customers undertaking more business together.

 

In order to bring the demand and supply together as well as tackling its major barriers, the report recommends the development of a virtual business to business e-marketplace as well as the development of 15 – 20 street markets providing fresh regional food for all social-demographic groups in the capital.  To download the report, follow the link.

 

If you would like to find out more about the London market and its opportunities and/or get involved in the realisation of the food hub, join us in London on 11 February 2010. More information in the New Year on our “Events” page.

Retail Toolkit – Last chance for a FREE copy
Orders must be received by the end of the year
Our Retail Toolkit for farm shops, deli’s and food halls is proving a great success!  This comprehensive and easy to ‘dip in and out of’ support guide has been developed in conjunction with the Guild of Fine Food.  Copies are available for FREE to retail businesses who are food group members in the South East of England until 31st of December 2009.
One per business.  After this, and for businesses based elsewhere in the UK, the price of the Toolkit is £49.99.
For more information: www.retail-toolkit.co.uk
For a FREE copy order online via website or send an email to sally@sefgp.co.uk

Cheese & Speciality Dairy Leaflet
Following on from our leaflet on Cheeses in the South East, the NFU and SEFGP are teaming up again to publish a leaflet promoting ‘cheese and speciality dairy producers’.  Please register to feature in this new publication, due to be published during the spring of next year.  It will feature contact details plus map showing location, and will be distributed widely across the region.  The cost to be included is just £20 including VAT. 
Click here for further details and registration form
 

TRADE DEVELOPMENT
Real Food Festival, Earls Court, 7-10 May 2010
The Real Food Festival offers a unique subsidy to help support small producers, and although the price is now £400 a stall, as a food/drink producer in the South East, you can get a discounted rate of only £200 for a 3x2m stall.  However, there are only 50 small producer stands left. So hurry!!!  Click here for details ......

 

You may wish to register on www.selectfood.co.uk.  A web-directory of quality food producers making specific products for a select market.  Particularly those with specific dietary requirements, love good food or like to support independent producers.

Last, but not least…..
BBC TV series looking for new products
Do you have a new food or drink product that could feature in this series?  Maverick TV would love to hear from anyone who would like the chance to pitch to a current major retailer.  See here for further details

Websites….
Any of the above news is often first uploaded onto our regional food website. Make sure you regularly check our News section as well as your company details online www.southeastenglandfoodanddrink.co.uk

www.southeastseafood.co.uk. A dedicated site to the fisheries industry in our region, with information about the tagging scheme, fish dish of the month, meet the fishermen etc.