Using Local Produce
...helping the local economy...
Interest in local and regional food – where it comes from and how it is produced – has increased considerably in recent years. Visitors are looking for a special dining experience. More and more people buy their produce at farmers markets and local produce outlets, such as farm shops. When they eat out or travel away from home, they are also interested in fresh, high quality food and drink – and in sampling local specialities and distinctive recipes.
The South East boasts a wealth of local food and drink, which has been grown, raised and produced in the region. Sourcing, preparing and serving this local produce can be a winning strategy for any hospitality business – one that will be appreciated by local residents and visitors alike. Using local produce can help you to attract new customers, boost sales and increase customer satisfaction.
TSE, in partnership with the South East Food Group and with support from SEEDA, has published guidance for local producers. 'Selling to Tourism and Hospitality Businesses' has been developed to help small- and medium-sized local food producers to sell their produce to tourism and hospitality businesses. It provides guidance and advice on who to sell to, how to find these buyers, and what they will require from the local producer. It also provides some examples of local producers who are successfully supplying the tourism and hospitality sector, and who to contact if you want to find out more about this expanding opportunity.
Each county in the South East has a local Food Group that promotes local produce.
If you would like more information on local produce conact Daniel Humphreys on 023 8062 5499 or Paul Jeffries on 023 8062 5501
But What Is Local Produce?
Local produce is defined as 'food and drink that is produced in the local area or speciality food that has a local identity.' This includes farm gate sales, regionally branded products, locally produced products and local speciality products that are in some way distinctive to the area. Crafts are also considered to be local products.
Local produce has a sense of local identity and close associations with the countryside and/or the seaside. It benefits the landscape through sustaining traditional activity such as farming or fishing, retains more money in the local economy and saves on transport costs and pollution associated with the movement of goods.
Local produce is perceived as distinctive, fresher, tastier and healthier by customers. There is a perception that local produce is traditional and part of more 'natural' farming practices rather than those of mass production. This links well with the rural visitor themes of rest, relaxation, good scenery and discovery.
What Can You Do?
Take the opportunity to build a reputation for offering good local food and distinctive produce. If your establishment is in the countryside, you have a direct link between the farming community and your business. Beautiful countryside is often your visitors’ main reason for choosing your location.
Farming activities shape the scenery your visitors enjoy. By buying local or regional farm products you can help the viability of those farms and, in so doing, help secure the working future of the countryside.
Food Festivals Report
One way to raise the profile of local produce is to hold a food and drink festival. Many events of this nature take place across the country already. Tourism South East has compiled a report based on market intelligence and the experiences of festival organisers across the world to advise anyone thinking of holding an event on what they should be doing and what they need to be aware of.
The New Forest Breakfast
The New Forest Breakfast is an exciting product designed to create stronger links between tourism businesses and local producers in the region. It can also offer an additional means of attracting the discerning visitor by way of a marketing advantage.
The Breakfast is high quality, tasty and seasonal. It has been developed with the help of local specialists and is comprised of locally derived, locally prepared ingredients that are widely and readily available. Caring animal husbandry and good farming practices underpin the New Forest Breakfast.
If you are a New Forest tourism business, the New Forest Breakfast enables you to reliably source all the products needed from specified centres, rather than having to shop around, by working with a special New Forest ordering and collection service. Businesses taking part are audited to ensure they are using New Forest Marque ingredients and are able to display the logo.
For further information on the New Forest Breakfast follow this link
The Sussex Breakfast
The Sussex Breakfast is made of at least 60% local, seasonal ingredients, sourced direct from Sussex producers or purchased from farm and food shops supplied by producers. Care for animal welfare and respect for the Sussex landscape is a big part of serving a Sussex breakfast. It also means shorter supply chains and reduced food miles as most of the food has not travelled outside Sussex. To claim a Sussex breakfast the establishment has passed an audit process guaranteeing they are serving 60% locally sourced, ethically produced ingredients. In return they show the Sussex breakfast symbol.
More information on the Sussex Breakfast
Where Can I Get More Information?
Alternatively contact Paul Jeffries (023 8062 5501)