Hampshire Tastes Great at the Local Produce Trade Show
Chefs and buyers came out in force this week to taste a flavour of Hampshire at the annual Local Produce Trade Show held at St Mary’s Stadium.
Over 60 food and drinks producers from across the county exhibited at the event on Tuesday 22nd January with many using it as a platform to launch new products and packaging. Chalk Stream Foods were proud to share their new branding with visitors which included Chef Owner of The Purefoy Arms, Gordon Stott.
Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager of Hampshire Fare commented: “This show is one of the most time effective ways to discover the latest local products hitting the shelves and meet their makers. In just a couple of hours, buyers and chefs can make such valuable connections with some of the county’s finest producers.”
As well as supporting the local producers involved, Hampshire Fare was excited to reveal the new Local Produce Guide 2019 at the show. This free directory is an invaluable reference guide when it comes finding the region’s best local food, drink and craft.
Portsmouth Distillery was one of the producers exhibiting for the first time. “The Portsmouth Distillery is a very new venture based at 18th Century Fort Cumberland on Eastney Point, with the launch of our Fort Gin and 1968 Rum in November 2018” explained Dich Oatley of Portsmouth Distillery. “We are slowly getting listed in bars, hotels and restaurants locally. The Local Produce Trade Show was a great way to meet real buyers from some fantastic venues, and of course an opportunity to meet fellow local producers. Some fantastic leads to follow up on! Looking forward to LPTS2020.”
The show also featured a seminar programme and high-profile business speakers including legal advice from show sponsors Paris Smith LLP regarding how to protect your brand and how to fund and protect the growth of your business.
The event, was organised by Business South, and sponsored by Cavendish Ships Stores, Carnival UK, Cunard, Halo Conferences & Events, Hampshire Fare, Hampshire Farmers’ Markets, New Forest Marque and Paris Smith.