08 January 2008, 17:59 PM
  • Participation at Food & Drink Expo 2008 (6th - 9th April) from the UK’s Regional Food Groups is set to reach record levels on the back of amazing growth in the premium, organic, local and regionally sourced food markets.

The premium food market is valued at £12,853m and is forecast to grow to £19,150m by 2011 according to IGD.  Of this local and regionally sourced products are worth some £3,970m (DEFRA) rising to £4,800m by 2011. And, says the Soil Association, organic food and drink products are set to rise to £2,400m by 2001 from the current £1,600m.

Little wonder then that regional food groups are queuing up to show off their products at Food & Drink Expo 2008, while the Soil Association is sponsoring the Organic Village.

Here is a taste of what to expect:
Heart of England Fine Foods (HEFF) for example will feature 30+ local producers within its special feature area where they will show off everything from coffees, fruit juices and real ales to ready meals.

Representing food and drink businesses across the six counties HEFF will also be featuring its latest initiatives within its proactive trade development programme.

Featured at Food & Drink Expo 2008 will be its new UK-wide delivery service, set up in partnership Heart Distribution, which boasts 1,000 plus product lines from HEFF producers. The HEFF Delivery Service is set to underpin the entire trade development

programme providing a coordinated and consolidated delivery of regional food to both retail and foodservice customers.

SCOTLAND FOOD & DRINK is a new organisation pooling the resources of several food and drink organisations based north of the border all of which will showcase their products at FDE 08.

Scotland boasts 1,200 food and drink companies, employing 50,000 people and contributing £7.5 billion to the local economy, making it the largest manufacturing sector in the country.

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY’S ‘Savour the Flavour’ encourages appreciation of local produce from the Scottish south west. Already signed up for FDE 08 are:
Thistle Products, producing a range of biscuits under the Cairnsmhor brand, including a Haggis flavoured oatcake. Juniper Fine Foods, wholesale distributors of a range of organic and vegetarian fine foods covering chilled, frozen and ambient options. Cream Cutie Chocolate urges visitors to come and try their luxurious wine-based range which includes a ‘wicked’ Orange Cream Liqueur.

NORTHUMBRIA LARDER is the youngest of the Regional Food Groups.  Formed in 2002, it has teamed up with the North East Chamber of Commerce and Improve to expand its reach to cover Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, County Durham and the Tees Valley. On show will be artisan cheeses, ice cream, sorbets, pork products, organic beef, cakes, soft drinks, patisserie, and gourmet almost-ready meals.

NORTHERN IRELAND: GOOD FOOD IS IN OUR NATURE. Among the exhibitors will be: Mash Direct, recent winners of the Great Taste Awards, which provides farm fresh mashed potato and vegetarian products which are additive, preservative and colour free. 

Other Regional Food Groups set to participate include Wales, East of England and Isle of Man. 

What else can you look forward to ……?

Chef’s Live @ FDE -
‘Chefs Live’ will play host to four days of individual and team classes including The Aubrey Allen & British Culinary Federation Chef of the Year with a daily guest chef demonstration; and the Knorr National Chef of the Year heats. 

Tasting Theatre - Dedicated to the world of tasting visitors will hear inspirational talks from leading wine and beer sommeliers, cheese & olive oil experts.

NEW FOR 2008 - International Caseus Cheese Awards
Learn about the world of cheese - This year Food and Drink Expo will host the UK heats for the International Caseus Cheese Awards

Ideas to Dine For! - A Celebrity Chef and industry experts pick out their favourite UK Food and Drink Products

Briefing Theatre - Join industry experts at Food & Drink Expo 08 to discuss the latest news and trends from around the industry.  Speakers will include: London Sustainability Exchange, Soil Association, Foods from Britain, British Frozen Food Federation and many other distinguished speakers.

Soil Association Organic Village - a hub for information on the latest trends and products in the growing organic produce market.