Plans for BFF taking shape

PLANS TO stage the nation‘s biggest food promotion event, British Food Fortnight, are taking shape despite meagre government funding, says organiser Alexia Robinson.

“More than 40 organisations have pledged to support this year‘s event,” explains Miss Robinson.

“These range from Budgens supermarket to independent retailers and major pub groups such as Punch Taverns.

“But the event is so under-funded it‘s a joke. We are running a nationwide enterprise as a cottage industry.”

This year‘s event, which takes place between Sept 18 and Oct 3, receives government funding of £46,870 from DEFRA through Food from Britain, the Department for Education and Skills and the Department for Health.

Food From Britain denied that its contribution to the event was modest. 

“We have to be careful about how we allocate taxpayer‘s money and our contribution is designed to ensure more retailers get behind the event,” said Food From Britain director Charlotte Lawson.

No one was available able for comment from the Departments for Education and Skills or the Department for Health.

Meanwhile, 18,000 schools in England, 2000 in Wales and 20,000 shops are taking part in the initiative.

It is backed by FARMERS WEEKLY and designed to promote the Best of British regional food and drink.

“Part of the aim is to teach young people about the diverse and delicious range of food available in Britain and in particular the health benefits of eating quality fresh, seasonal and regionally distinct produce,” said Miss Robinson.

“For farmers, it is an opportunity to create the consumer environment where consumers seek out British produce.”

Budgens‘ marketing director, Stephanie Rice said: “Budgens strongly believes in supporting British farming and offering routes to market for locally supplied products.

“This ties in with our positioning as a community-based retailer, the majority of whose stores sit in rural and agricultural areas.”

British Food Fortnight is key business opportunity, agreed Steve Schaffer, catering development manager with Punch Taverns which manages 7,400 pubs in the UK.

“Promoting locally sourced produce via pub menus is a fantastic way of raising awareness about the quality and diversity of the British food market,” he said.

“And with some creative thought and effective marketing, it should also prove a shrewd business move.”