Business and Economy

Putting Local Food on the Local Plate

Supporting Hampshire's local food producers is a priority for the County Council

HFM basket of food

and one which it sees as a key factor in regenerating the rural economy. The push for more industrial and cheaper food production over the last 40 to 50 years has led to the growth of unsustainable farming methods and to the disappearance of many small farmers and food producers. The Economic Development Office of the Council, through projects which support the local food chain, aims to help existing food producers become profitable again and others to diversify or add value to their products.



Hampshire Fare - the county food group

Hampshire Fare Logo

Hampshire Fare is a not-for-profit limited company which represents producer members in Hampshire who grow, rear, make and sell a diverse range of food, drink and craft from Hampshire. Members also include farm shops, delicatessens and specialist food shops, caterers, home economists, visitor attractions, hotels and B&Bs. The common aim throughout is to promote the best of Hampshire’s food, drink and craft.  

Hampshire Fare is supported by Hampshire County Council and South East England Development Agency (SEEDA). The main aims of Hampshire Fare are to:

  • Increase awareness among the public and trade of the wide range of local produce available

  • Foster good business practice and assist producers to compete as viable enterprises

  • To encourage high standards of production and presentation

  • To organise marketing activities - festivals, exhibitions and promotions - to promote food, drink and craft from Hampshire

  • Develop initiatives to incorporate local food and drink into public sector menus

Hampshire Fare run a series of marketing events and promotions around the county to promote awareness of local food and drink, including the annual Hampshire Food Festival with around 100 different events (in July) and the Great Hampshire Sausage, Pie & Ready Meal Competition (held in Spring). They also help local producers of food & drink to develop and grow their businesses with a variety of measures including training, meet the buyer and trade events, production of a Producer Portfolio and general support and advice services. Hampshire Fare also represents the 'voice' of local producers to policy and decision makers at local and regional level. Headway seems to be being made with many of the larger stores such as Waitrose, Selfridges and Sainsburys on their stocking of Hampshire produce. Hampshire Fare is an active member of the South East Food Group Partnership, which is funded by the South East England Development Agency and the Countryside Agency, and is lobbying hard for additional resources to be channelled to the local food groups.

Hampshire Fare produces a free directory of ‘Food, Drink and Craft in Hampshire’ which is available by contacting the Hampshire office on 01962 845435, or via  www.hampshirefare.co.uk. Details of local food events and news are also updated regularly on this website. Contact Hampshire Fare if you would like to be added to their mailing list to receive news, details of events (including the Hampshire Food Festival) and special offers.

Email: Hampshire Fare
Tel: 01962 845999

Hog roast at a Hampshire Farmers' Market

Hampshire Farmers’ Markets - a model for the UK

The highly successful programme of Hampshire Farmers’ Markets was set up by the EDO in 1999. With average takings now of £500 per stall-holder and average attendances of around 5,000 customers, the markets are now renowned as the largest and most successful in the UK. Winchester is the largest in the UK, with around 90-100 stall-holders and around 10,000 shoppers attending each market, held twice monthly. After three years running the markets, the Economic Development Office asked the stallholders to organise and manage the farmers' markets themselves. It worked closely with Business Link Wessex who helped them set up a new limited company Hampshire Farmers Markets Ltd, run by the farmers and growers which commenced trading in January 2002. In 2001, despite foot and mouth, the income generated at the Hampshire farmers' markets was £1.5 million. In 2002, it was £1.77 million. In 2008, it is estimated to be £3m.

Aerial view of Winchester Farmers' Market

It is seen as a model for many other areas around the UK and was the first to receive official certification from the National Association of Farmers' Markets. The programme for 2003 saw 85 markets, 2004 had 95 markets (generating £2.5 million sales), 90 in 2005 and 96 markets in 2006 (generating £3million sales.) Hampshire Fare works closely with Hampshire Farmers’ Markets, which are a great showcase for Hampshire food, drink and craft. (Many of Hampshire Fare’s members sell directly to the public at these markets.)

Hampshire Farmers' Markets Schedule  

Hampshire Farmers Markets Ltd - tel: 01420 588671 
www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk

 

Diminishing Slaughter Facilities - crisis point for livestock producers

The County Council is addressing the issue of diminishing slaughter facilities and its impact on both livestock producers and the local food chain.  It has helped livestock producers gain access to new abattoir and meat processiong facilities at Laverstoke, near Basingstoke. 

Public Sector Procurement - Rural Pathfinder Project

Hampshire Fare, the County Food Group, run the Rural Pathfinder Public Sector Procurement  Local Food in Hampshire project. The Project is very strongly supported by Hampshire County Council and will link into the Government Office for the South East Procurement Project and deliver aims on public sector procurement as set out in the Defra/SEEDA Sustainable Farming and Food Delivery Plan.  

 For further details, please contact: Tim Brock on 01962 845999

 

Food for Thought?

View of fields & hay trailer

Other areas of activity that are currently being considered which can help local farmers and growers are the organisation of a Hampshire Produce Area at all major agricultural shows in the county i- including the New Forest Show, strengthening the links between local food producers and accommodation providers and the development of Hampshire's historical food association to include rural gastronomy tours. Hampshire Fare is also working with Hampshire tourism organisations to strengthen the link between local food and tourism

If we want to protect the beautiful farmed landscape of Hampshire, it is vital that people ask for local produce from their local shops, restaurants and other food outlets. By buying local produce you not only enjoy the best, but make an essential contribution to the sustainability of Hampshire’s countryside, the rural economy, environment and our market towns.

Want to know more?

For more information on local food promotion in Hampshire contact :
Frances Stokes   Business Development Manager, Economic Development Office via e-mail: -   Frances Stokes