How can regions with very specific growing conditions and seasons evolve to meet the changing needs of the modern consumer?

Vegetable growers in the South West, for instance, certainly haven’t had it easy. As if it’s not enough that the weather can either decimate field crops, or bring them out in such abundance that the prices nosedive, consumers have hardly been overenthused by products like brassicas either.

Despite that, innovative companies in the region are finding a way to survive and prosper. By changing up their product mix, developing new formats that can excite the consumer and finding unique points of difference, on either a regional or national scale, they are bringing to market solutions that allow them to succeed.

Issues such as these will be high on the agenda at our next regional conference next week, to be held in Bristol on

3 November, where everything from collaborative thinking and developing from a niche to logistics and traceability are up for discussion.

With a speaker line-up that features major names such as Riverford Organic, Elior, The Watercress Company, QV Foods, EFFP and many more, it’s set to be an unmissable event. I’d urge you to come along for what will be a great day of debate and an excellent opportunity to network with key players in a major food producing region.

The full programme appears on p16, and you can reserve your place online at fpjconferences.com for just £50. I very much hope to see you there.

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