Regional food and drink is set to benefit from a £2 million government boost.
The cash, announced by food and farming minister Lord Bach, will be given to promotional body, Food from Britain, over the next two years.
The additional funding, on top of the £3m Defra has provided over the last three years, will allow FFB to continue to support the regional food and drink sector through a range of activities, including trade development, consumer awareness and improving business competitiveness.
The decision follows an independent economic review of the government’s Regional Food Strategy published by consultants ADAS which shows that government support for the sector has been effective and that those firms that have benefited from the strategy have performed better than non-beneficiaries.
Lord Bach said: “I am delighted to announce that Defra is providing a further £2million spread, over two years, to Food from Britain, to continue our support of the quality regional food sector in England.
"This is on top of the £3million Defra has already provided over the last three years to support our regional food producers.”
“The success of the Regional Food Strategy so far is a reflection of the hard work of all those involved and especially Food from Britain, the Regional Development Agencies and the regional food groups.”