Hampshire Fare Launch Local Produce Guide 2024
Hampshire Fare’s Local Produce Guide 2024 has been officially launched by rugby icon and regional brewery director, Steve Thompson MBE.
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have become leaders in the UK’s food scene and this week Hampshire Fare, who champion the region's local food and drink, launched their Local Produce Guide 2024, featuring more than 350 businesses.
The new Guide was officially launched by former England rugby union star, Steve Thompson MBE. Steve is also a director of Gosport’s Powder Monkey Brewing Company so he is himself a proud member of the region’s food and drink community.
Steve said: “Being involved with Powder Monkey and seeing it develop has been great for me, as someone who loves food and cooking, the importance of supporting local producers is paramount. Wherever possible I use local produce, knowing the quality will be excellent.”
The guide includes a full array of the region’s food and drink businesses – from bakeries, beekeepers, breweries and chocolatiers to farm shops, farmers’ markets, pubs, restaurants and vineyards.
Natasha Dochniak, Commercial Manager, Hampshire Fare, said “Our two counties, here on the south coast, have a temperate climate and diverse growing conditions from varied landscapes – coast, countryside, chalk rivers, rolling downlands, heaths and ancient forests. That means our local larder is rich. We have fabulous seasonal produce that the region is renowned for – strawberries, chalk stream trout, watercress, crab, lamb, fish and pannage pork from the New Forest.
“Then it’s our amazing and talented producers and chefs who create products from that larder and bring them to our communities through farm shops, local High Streets, farmers’ markets, pubs, cafes, restaurants and online.
“Local food is usually seasonal and fresh. It’s often produced by small businesses who are passionate about their products, their customers and their communities. It’s also travelled less - and fewer food miles means a more sustainable, environmentally friendly food and drink scene, which in turn supports a thriving local economy. It’s definitely something to be celebrated and this Guide does just that.”
The Hampshire Fare Local Produce Guide can be viewed and downloaded on the website www.hampshirefare.co.uk and is also available free from member outlets – look out for the sign of the Hampshire Hog.