Food and grocery think-tank IGD has launched a new guide which aims to help British farmers and producers tap into the £33 billion that is spent each year by people eating out of home - the foodservice market.

IGD has brought together seven of the largest UK foodservice companies, and supporting organisations to help demystify the sector and explain the opportunities in a new guide - Understanding foodservice opportunities for farmers and small food producers.

The free guide is designed to pinpoint the best opportunities within foodservice. It takes the reader step by step through how the foodservice market is structured, what is required to successfully supply the market and explains how it is different to retail. It also contains inspiring case studies of other domestic producers who are making the sector work for them.

IGD chief executive Joanne Denney-Finch said: “With seven out of 10 people in the UK wanting to buy local food, there is a groundswell of activity re-invigorating the image of British food and there are great opportunities for domestic food producers and processors to exploit this growing interest. However, it is still rare to find farmers or regional food producers who are specifically targeting foodservice.

“Foodservice companies are now actively looking to expand their domestic food offer and we hope this guide will help to bridge the divide between farming and foodservice, enabling both to meet halfway and to mutual advantage. Those farmers and regional producers who rise to the challenge, dedicating themselves to this sector and differentiating their products and service, will reap the rewards through growth and profitability.”

Copies of the guide can be downloaded at www.igd.com/FoodserviceGuide.asp or will be available through the supporting organisations.