DEFRA boosts regional food

DEFRA has boosted the prospects for regional food drink from Britain with a £3m grant to food promoters Food From Britain .

FFB has been commissioned by DEFRA to develop and implement a programme of support for the British regional food and drink sector. 

The money is being delivered in association with a network of regional food and drink groups, and will encompass trade development, consumer awareness and increasing producer competitiveness.

The latest addition to the programme is the ‘Find My Nearest ‘ feature on the website enabling businesses to search for regional produce within a specified distance from their home.

Food From Britain hopes this postcode-driven facility will make it easier and quicker to source good regional food that has not travelled thousands of miles.

Currently the website lists more than 3,100 producers in the UK, offering traditional and artisan products.

Jane Wakeling, regional foods manager at FFB, said: “Using regional ingredients can make a significant impact to local restaurants; customers feel they are getting an authentic taste of the area.

“It‘s now easier for retailers to not only be passionate about local produce, but to promote a sense of heritage and community support by putting it to use.”