Sustainable Seafood is on the Menu
The value of sourcing sustainable seafood from the Solent will be taking centre stage at this month’s Local Produce Trade Show (30th September, Ageas Bowl, Southampton) with Tim Ferrero, Project Manager, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, giving a talk about the Great Solent Seafood project to chefs, independent retailers, hospitality owners and local producers at this important industry event.
The Great Solent Seafood project was launched at the last Local Produce Trade Show with the support of Hampshire Fare, who are partnering this project to raise awareness of the importance of selling, buying, serving and eating local, sustainable seafood among both trade and consumer markets.
Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager, Hampshire Fare, explains, “We are working with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust on this project to highlight sustainable seafood available in the Solent. We consider this a call to action to those selling and serving seafood to come to this year’s Local Produce Trade Show and find out more about the project and how to choose sustainable seafood.
“The Great Solent Seafood project is being rolled out at a time when both the consumer and the food industry are increasingly aware of the need to make choices that consider the environment, which includes our coastal waters, as well as supporting our local economy.”
Rachel Bryan, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, added: "We are beginning to sign up local fishermen, fishmongers, and hospitality sector businesses to become supporters of our Great Solent Seafood campaign; allowing us to inform members of the public where they can buy or eat locally caught sustainable seafood. Details of those businesses who are part of our campaign will be added to our Great Solent Seafood webpages."
This project is part of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s Secrets of the Solent campaign - a four-year project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund that aims to help safeguard the Solent.
Tracy Nash, along with John Davey, Cavendish Ship Stores, will also be hosting a special chefs’ panel discussion at the Show. This will feature top chefs from across the county including: Adriano Elam, Chef/Proprietor, The Crown at Arford; Luke Holder, Chef Director, Lime Wood Hotel; Luke Matthews, Executive Chef, Chewton Glen Hotel; Gordon Stott, Chef/Proprietor, The Purefoy Arms; Dave Watts, Chef/Proprietor, The Crown Inn, Upton; Matthew Whitfield, Head Chef, The Terrace, Montagu Arms; and Steve Lewis, GM, Lainston House Hotel.
The panel discussion will be very topical, covering: suppy chain lessons; changes to the business offering post-lockdown; and consumer expectations for the future.
Registration for the Local Produce Trade Show is available to buyers and other associated members of the food and drink industry through Business South - link HERE.
Image above: Tim Ferrero Project Manager Great Solent Seafood (picture credit: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust). Below: Line up for Chefs Panel with hosts Tracy Nash and John Davey.
