AN innovative programme to support the local food and drink sector through closer links with tourism businesses is to be developed following funding approval from the Warrington-based North West Development Agency.
The £1.5million “Taste” programme for the North West aims to raise the quality of local produce, help tourism businesses to source more local produce and improve consumer awareness of tourism outlets selling locally made food and drink.
Key element of the programme is the expansion of the “Taste” quality accreditation scheme across the whole of the region. The “Taste” brand will celebrate the uniqueness of and raise awareness of the region’s high quality food and drink.
Funding comes from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) which is funded by the EU and Defra, while managed in the North West by the NWDA.
David Hunter, head of rural development at the NWDA, said: “Some of the finest produce in the country comes from food and drink businesses based in the North West. This programme aims to support their work by exploiting the natural link between food and drink producers and tourism businesses in order to benefit both and grow the rural economy.
“The Taste accreditation scheme will be an essential tool in helping to build business confidence and quality. It will be a boost for local food and drink producers who will sell more and get their brands better known, while raising awareness of tourism operators selling fantastic produce made on their own doorsteps.”
A website is to be developed to advise businesses on how they can benefit from the scheme. Hotels, B&Bs, cafes and attractions that serve food will be encouraged to source more local produce through specially produced guidance.
Businesses shortlisted for food tourism awards will be given additional support.
Groups of tourism businesses will be encouraged to work together in order to share best practice.
The project will go live in May next year and by 2013, the aim is to establish the Taste accreditation scheme for England’s North West as self financing and a brand respected by industry and consumers. The target is to have a minimum of 750 new businesses participating across the region.
AN innovative programme to support the local food and drink sector
through closer links with tourism businesses is to be developed
following funding approval from the Warrington-based North West
Development Agency.
Support for food and drink trade
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
