As novel packaging and ethical waste issues become more important in a congested market producers in Yorkshire may benefit from a funding boost to help develop innovative new products and packaging ideas.

Appetizing Innovation, an initiative supported by Yorkshire Forward, is providing funding of up to 50 per cent of the total project cost to help companies to access specialist help.

This financial support, which is available to all food and drink companies in the Yorkshire and Humber region, can be accessed by all areas of the supply chain from entrepreneurs and small businesses to larger retailers.

The Appetizing Innovation project, led by Food Processing Faraday Partnership (FPFP), brings together a consortium of leading product and packaging experts to support companies in their efforts to remain competitive and succeed in today's challenging economic climate.

The initiative enables companies to easily access a range of sources with the most up to date skills, technologies and equipment, while being supported throughout by a dedicated account manager or technology translator.

Technology translator John Stanford said: "Some companies have exciting ideas for innovation but may feel it is too risky to try. We want to help them to access, in as straightforward a way as possible, the expertise already available in the region.

"One of the key requirements for funding support is that projects are truly innovative - they must be looking at something original, or developing a different way of doing things. We will help companies to find the right consortium partner to work with to develop their ideas once they've been assessed as meeting the necessary.

Andrew Collinson, from Food and Drink Sector Development at Yorkshire Forward, said: "There is huge potential for food and drink businesses in Yorkshire and Humber to access significant expertise, with world class skills and equipment on their doorstep. This will boost innovation throughout the industry and help businesses continue to compete effectively."

Appetizing Innovation are also offering surgeries to participating companies with practical advice and packaging insight to stimulate the innovation process followed up with a written report to show how the ideas can be implemented.

Design Futures' commercial director, Gail Wyman, said: "The surgeries provide an opportunity for all managers with a remit for brand, packaging and processing activities to meet with a panel of highly qualified packaging professionals to investigate opportunities for packaging improvements to support commercial growth.

"Following a comprehensive, in-depth initial assessment of a company's packaging issues, the participants will meet the panel to explore relevant innovation and development opportunities specific to their business."

Ian Blakemore from FPFP, who is leading the Appetizing Innovation project, said: "This initiative will really help to present specific ideas and opportunities and has the benefit of an expert team - including leading design researchers, human computer interaction designers, usability specialists, applied physiologists, technologists and engineers - gathered together in one place solely focused on helping an individual company."