Pitches and deals at food networking day

11:13am Monday 12th May 2008

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MOST of us like a good natter, but to these people a quick chat is literally food and drink.

In only eight hours there were 1,100 meetings between buyers and local food producers at the latest annual food and drink event organised by the Regional Food Group for Yorkshire and Humber.

Ninety-one producers met 55 supermarket, wholesale and food service buyers at Wetherby Racecourse, each of them pitching their wares in speed-dating style.

Last year's event generated more than £1.6 million for local food and drink businesses, with more than £6 million of total business anticipated over the year. Figures for this year will be available in August.

Of the 55 buyers lined up to start a meaningful relationship with local and regional producers this year, there were a wide variety of retailers, ranging from supermarkets, hotel chains and transport and leisure organisations.

Headline buyers included Nisa-Today, Compass, Waitrose, Asda, Harry Yearsley Group, 3G Food Service, Costcutter, Thorpe Park Hotel, and National Trust.

Steven Hodson, of Nisa-Today, said: "More than ever before, people are taking notice of where their food comes from, what goes into its production and the journey it takes to end up on their plates. By supporting local producers where possible, we fulfil our clear social responsibility to help local economies."

The Meet The Buyer event was a Regional Food Group joint initiative with Yorkshire Forward.

Jonathan Knight, chief executive of the Regional Food Group, said: "Regional sourcing is a key issue and these figures indicate that food sourced from Yorkshire and Humber has wide appeal with consumers."