A groundbreaking initiative has been launched to connect the food trade and farmers across the Yorkshire and Humber region.
Farexchange has been created to understand the current and future needs of food manufacturers and consumers.
Funded by Yorkshire Forward, the scheme is managed by English Farming and Food Partnerships (EFFP) Ltd and is aimed at directors or executives of food and farming businesses, to develop sustainable value chains, linking manufacturers back to the region’s farmers and growers to secure future supply.
An initial three-year contract to deliver the not-for-profit scheme has been won by the Farexchange Partnership.
The venture was launched at a one-day event held in York and will be followed by a programme of conferences, seminars and individual business support meetings to offer practical advice and business experience on working with Yorkshire agriculture.
Farexchange chairman Sir Ken Morrison, who spoke at the event, is supporting the new venture.
The partnership aims to develop new and improved communications along the supply chain links, which can then be further developed and commercialised, ensuring that those involved in the processing and manufacturing of food are able to source the product on time, on spec and at a predictable price.
Yorkshire is probably one of the largest food-producing regions within the UK. To ensure future growth, projects such as Farexchange are vital to fill gaps in the infrastructure so that new businesses, joint ventures and partnerships may be formed.
Farexchange’s primary focus will be on the fresh produce, pork, beef, lamb, malting barley and milling oats sectors.
Regional manager Paul Rhodes said: “The creation of Farexchange provides a real opportunity for us to help food and farming businesses in Yorkshire meet the challenges of a changing world.”
His comments were reiterated by director Steve Cann, who is providing the strategic lead on the project. “Farexchange potentially heralds a new and exciting environment where farmers and food companies can work more closely together to improve the supply chain,” he said.
The project is the culmination of approximately two years’ work by Yorkshire Forward, whose commitment to delivering enhanced economic activity to benefit the region led to the scheme’s establishment. It is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK and will be delivered in conjunction with the National Farmers’ Union, Country Land Association, Yorkshire & Humber Regional Food Group, EBLEX, BPEX, Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Bishop Burton College and Askham Bryan College.
Yorkshire Forward’s food and drink sector manager John Sorsby said: “The Farexchange scheme is an integral element of Yorkshire Forward’s multimillion pound investment in supporting the food and drink industry in the region, and has a clear focus on innovation and supply chain development. It also delivers innovation by connecting the high-quality produce the region has to offer with supply chain opportunities, linked to authenticity and trust, which have high importance as we continue to ride the economic turbulence.”
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