21 September 2010, 12:20 PM
  • Delis and farm shops across the UK are using British Food Fortnight 2010 (18th September to 3rd October) as an opportunity to promote their finest patriotic produce

The celebration – which is in its ninth year – has become one of the most established events in the food industry calender, with retailers adopting a number of sales and marketing techniques to champion the cause. Premium retailer Harrods is promoting more unusual British foods such as goat and buffalo meat, while Yorkshire food hall Weeton’s of Harrogate is offering 20% off its selection of fifty British cheeses.

“My customers know exactly where all my British cheeses are produced because I know exactly where they come from. They’re all properly labelled and are sourced from named producers, with the majority produced within Yorkshire,” says Andrew Loftus, managing director at Weeton’s. Products on offer range from Stinking Bishop and Yorkshire Blue to smoked Wensleydale and Suffolk Gold.

Cowdray Farm Shop in West Sussex is organising a range of ‘meet the producer’ events throughout the two-week celebration, while Shepherd’s Farm Shop in Gloucester is planning on hosting game season tastings, an apple harvest festival and a ‘big cheese weekend’.

The organisers of British Food Fortnight are keen to encourage food businesses to start planning their sales strategies for the 2012 Olympics. “This year’s event is a rallying cry for shops, pubs, restaurants and councils to start organising their Olympic promotions now so their customers can feast on British food as they cheer our medal hopes to the winning line!” says Alexia Robinson, event organiser. 

“The eyes of the world will be on Britain in 2012 and patriotism will be at fever-pitch. Food and sport go hand in hand and we want British food to be at the heart of everyone’s Olympic celebrations,” she adds.