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Producers meet the buyers at EHDC

Friday 5th of February 2010

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Contacts were formed and links strengthened when producers and buyers met at East Hampshire District Council's offices on Tuesday 26 January.

Cllr Richard Millard, EHDC Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: "This was a fantastic chance for producers and buyers to meet up and do business together.

"It is another of the many ways we at EHDC are supporting local businesses through the economic downturn."

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The ‘Meet the Producer' event, arranged by Hampshire Fare in association with a Taste of Sussex and european funders Collabor8, saw more than 20 food and drink producers exhibiting their wares and making contact with other businesses.

Ken Moon, Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: "This event was all about helping local businesses build up a network of contacts and cement their position in the area's economy.

"The South Downs region produces a rich and varied range of goods but for any business to be successful it must make contact with the right buyers and the right suppliers - and that was the main aim of last week's meeting."

Buyers attending the meeting included hotels, restaurants, pubs and other caterers as well as stores, ranging from independent traders to large supermarkets.

They browsed the delicious fare on show, sampling meats, beer, wine, cheese and jams.

Nick Smallwood, of Hampshire Provender/Cresson Creative, which makes innovative use of Hampshire's famous watercress-growing tradition, said: "We make unique products, such as hand-rolled sausages. We had a lot of interest during the day and we met a lot of potential buyers."