A regional food and drink alliance has been set up by eight groups across England as a mouthpiece for the burgeoning market for the local offer.
The initiative, which will see the Regional Food Group for Yorkshire and Humber, Heart of England Fine Foods, North West Fine Foods, Northumbria Larder, South East Food Group Partnership, East Midlands Fine Foods, Tastes of Anglia and Taste of the West work together more closely, was launched at IFE07 this week.
Representatives of the alliance met with Minister of State for Sustainable Farming and Food Lord Rooker this week and agreed to meet with the government on a regular basis to discuss key issues for the industry.
The link-up will represent more than 3,000 regional food and drink companies and deliver more than £7.5 million of public and private sector promotional support for the industry.
The move comes at a time when research indicates mounting demand for regionally sourced food and drink, with more than 70 per cent of consumers now actively seeking out local food, according to an IGD survey.
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