Member Article

Food group generates £3.3 million for North East producers

The North East England Food & Drink Group (NEEFDG) has revealed the economic impact of its work to grow and promote the region’s food and drink sector. Figures taken from quarterly reports show that during its first year of operation, the group’s activities have generated £3.3 million of additional income for food and drink producers in the North East.

Thanks to the food and drink group, businesses have been able to attend 16 consumer events, 11 trade exhibitions and three major ‘meet the buyer’ conferences, from which the additional revenue was created. In total, 459 organisations have benefited with NEEFDG providing access to an average of one event every fortnight.

In the last year, NEEFDG has highlighted the drive to encourage North East consumers and businesses to buy and use local produce, which has seen independent retailers, restaurants and major supermarkets purchase the region’s food and drink. The partnership is also actively striving to use the North East’s growing reputation for excellent food and drink as a means with which to stimulate tourism and rural regeneration.

Sandy Duncan, lead programme manager for NEEFDG, said: “The last 12 months has seen a period of growth in the North East food and drink sector, despite difficult economic conditions. An improvement in sector skills and increased access to national and international buyers has strengthened the industry and is providing the basis for ongoing sustainable development.

“There is still a huge amount of work to do and in 2009 the North East England Food & Drink Group will seek to build upon these achievements and add further value to what is an increasingly important sector in this region’s economy.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .