The South East Food Group Partnership (SEFGP) has launched a new website, www.southeastenglandfoodanddrink.co.uk, that will allow restaurants, pubs and bars to easily source high-quality food and drink produce from across the South East. Offering a wealth of information to the hospitality trade and highlighting local producers in the region, the website allows restaurant and bar food buyers to find suppliers for the product they need with a detailed search option, together with news about trade events and opportunities where they can meet regional producers.
“Thanks to high profile national campaigns, consumers are becoming ever more aware of food origins and will often choose dining and drinking venues which champion local food,” said Henriette Reinders, director of SEFGP, which promotes regional food. “At the same time, the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease and blue tongue plus floods and droughts this year has put farming under pressure and many producers are keen to find new markets. At a time when many farmers are facing added challenges, we’re here to support them and the local economy in the South East.”
One pub and restaurant already championing the local food cause is The Parrot Inn, near Dorking, winner of the Flavour of the South East Award 2007 organised by Tourism South East. Not only does it farm and produce its own meat it also serves a wide range of produce from neighbouring farms.
“The Parrot Inn is a top foodie destination and it is great to see the new drive to use regional food including their own beef, lamb and pork,” said Reinders. “The food hasn't travelled a great deal of food miles and is therefore fresh and often handmade in small batches. We hope we’ll see more regional food on the menu of the South East’s restaurants.”
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