PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR LINCOLNSHIRE'S SMALL FOOD COMPANIES

“ Meet the Experts – Practical Advice for Lincolnshire’s Small Food Companies”

on Wednesday 25 March 2015

9am to 12.30pm

at the National Centre for Food Manufacturing, Holbeach, PE12 7PT

Our experts come from:

Bakkavor – Peterborough Environment City Trust – Food Health and Safety, Breckland and South Holland Council – University of Lincoln – National Centre for Food Manufacturing

and their subjects will include:

making food manufacture sustainable – environmental health update – creating sustainable food businesses – trademarks – allergens – microbiology – super fast broadband – social media - funding

More details TBC. In the meantime, please make a note in your diary – Wednesday, 25 March 2015, 9am to 12.30pm.

FOOD TOURISM WORKSHOP

What is your role and how can you grow your market?

Did you know that Food Tourism is the fastest growing tourism sector?

Gastronomic tourism is an emerging phenomenon that is being developed as a new tourism product due to the fact that according to the specialized literature, over a third of tourist spending is devoted to food. Therefore, the cuisine of the destination is an aspect of utmost importance in the quality of the holiday experience.
Several studies have found that tourists travel to those destinations that have established a reputation as a place to experiment with quality local products.

What is your business strategy to take advantage of this unique opportunity?

Bespoke workshop for Farm Retailers

During the workshop you will be introduced to the concepts of food tourism and how this relates to farm retail businesses such as your own. Look at current trends both in the UK and across the world and then focus on how you as a business can create a plan to maximise the value of this opportunity for your business. By the end of the workshop you will have a created a unique strategy for your business.

The Programme

•     Start with Why
•     What is Food tourism?
•     What is driving food tourism?
•     Who are the local players and how should they network?
•     Where is the support to make it happen?
•     What do you and can you offer the food tourist?
•     What is your strategy for the next three years to grow your business?
•     The plan for your business

The workshops will each start at 10.00 and finish at 16.00.

These workshops are being led by the international Farm Retail expert John Stanley. John is a long-time friend of FARMA and has supported many of its members with consultancy and as a speaker at FARMA conferences over the years.

Locations and Dates

16th March: Kyte Hotel: Darrington, West Yorkshire WF8 3HR 17th March: Marston Lodge Farm, Marston Trussell, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9TY 18th March: Newlyns Farm Shop, Lodge Farm, North Warnborough, Hook, Hampshire RG29 1HA

Booking and Tickets

Please follow the link to book your place on the course. Attendance at the course is £55+VAT per person.
Who should attend?

This workshop will add value to all types of farm retail businesses. The workshop will be of particular interest to:

•     Farmers' Markets
•     Farm Shops
•     New Farm Retail Businesses
•     Farm tourism and attraction business looking to add a food offering.

STALLS AVAILABLE AT DISCOVER LINCOLNSHIRE WEEKEND

In collaboration with Lincoln BIG you are invited to take part in ‘Discover Lincolnshire Markets 2015’. This will be over the upcoming Discover Lincolnshire Weekend, Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th March from 10am to 4pm daily.

It will encompass Lincolnshire producers including Farmers Markets, Craft Markets, Select Lincolnshire and Artists Markets but will be run as one large event on a similar scale and layout to the Lincoln BIG Continental Markets using Lincoln High Street, Cornhill and down the side of WH Smith, with up to 50 stall spaces.

There will be opportunity for stallholders to hire a space for one or both days, although we would prefer both days for continuity for customers. For those who do not have their own stall, we have a contractor who will put our standard market stalls up for a charge.

This event will be marketed as part of the Discover Lincolnshire Weekend publicity.

Due to the interest we've had so far, stalls will be allocated on a first come – first served basis so please ensure that you register your interest at the earliest opportunity.

If the event is successful we hope to repeat this later in the year as part of some larger events.

Select member price will be £50 plus VAT for the weekend or £35 plus VAT per day for a 3m x 3m sq pitch.

If you require a stall or a larger space please let us know.

Please contact gillian.richardson@lincs-chamber.co.uk to register and arrange an application form.

DON'T MISS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD!

The Quarterly Economic Survey is open until 16th March! Don't miss your opportunity to be heard by the Government, HM Treasury and the Bank of England!
What is the Quarterly Economic Survey (QES)?

The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) is a business questionnaire that gives a ‘health check’ on Lincolnshire’s economy. It is done four times a year at the beginning of each trading quarter, and filled out by county businesses. It forms part of the British Chambers of Commerce’s national survey, and the results given by Lincolnshire businesses contribute to the body of evidence.

Why is the QES survey seen as so important?

QES is the most authoritative national business confidence survey and the first to be published in each quarter. The answers that you give will be used by used by the Government, HM Treasury and the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee to ensure that the right support is being given to businesses not only in Lincolnshire, but across the UK.

How can the QES survey be used by businesses?

QES tells us if UK sales are up or down; how well Lincolnshire firms are doing exporting their good overseas; if county businesses are experience any challenges; how confident business owners feel about the future; and what support businesses need to remain competitive in a global market. You can use the results in:

• Blog comments 
• Press Comments 
• Funding bids 

What are you waiting for? Fill in the survey today! It will only take a few minutes.

LEP PUTS FOOD AND FARMING FIRST

The Farming Minister George Eustice MP visited Holbeach on Thursday 15th January to launch a new body which will champion the area’s food producers.

The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership has created a Food Board made up of senior figures from food and farming which was officially launched on Thursday 15th January 2015.

On the day of the ministerial visit the LEP also unveiled its Agri-Food Plan 2014-2020 whose vision is to create the environment to work towards a long-term ambition to double the economic value of the food industry in Greater Lincolnshire by 2030.

Mr Eustice, who is Minister for Farming, Food and the Marine Environment at DEFRA, presided over the launch of the board and plan at the National Centre for Food Manufacturing in Holbeach, part of the University of Lincoln.

“Greater Lincolnshire is the food heartland of the UK but the agri-food sector is often overlooked when it comes to prioritising support for business,” said Mark Tinsley, a member of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP board who leads on agri-food.

“Without our agri-food sector and all the people in it who grow, harvest, prepare and distribute our food, this region would be in a much worse economic state and the country would have to import far more food than it already does.

“That’s why the Greater Lincolnshire LEP has made agri-food one of its priority sectors, and we’re launching our Agri-Food Plan this week to set out how we can help our food processing and farming businesses to grow even further.”

The Food Board will support the plan’s objectives by informing and advising the LEP on issues and challenges which face the sector such as water management, planning, transport infrastructure, the translation of research to industry or skills requirements.

“We have already made progress with a survey of future water requirements needs and a request for the food sector’s views on the importance of improved flood defences,” said Mark.

Food and Farming Minister George Eustice said: “The food and farming sector is incredibly important to this country – the whole food chain is worth more than £100 billion to the economy, employing one in eight people, and that’s why it’s at the heart of our long-term economic plan.

“We want to support this growth and see the UK food and farming industry become the best in the world – exciting, dynamic and at the forefront of technology and innovation.

“It is excellent to see areas like Lincolnshire taking a lead, recognising the huge contribution the sector makes to the local economy and developing ambitious plans for future growth.”

LATEST GROWTH DEAL WORTH £14.8M FOR GREATER LINCOLNSHIRE

The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership has secured a further £14.8 million for major developments in the latest round of Growth Deals announced by the Government on 29th January 2015.

The additional funding is more good news for the area’s economy and brings the total allocated to Greater Lincolnshire under Growth Deals so far to £126.1 million.

The new money will go towards five key projects:
• the South Humber Industrial Infrastructure Programme (SHIIP) phase 1 in North East Lincolnshire
• the first phase of regeneration of Scunthorpe town centre
• the first phase of the Lincolnshire Lakes development in Scunthorpe
• Agri-Food Centre of Excellence at the University of Lincoln in Holbeach
• Peppermint Interchange (highway improvement) in Holbeach

Ursula Lidbetter MBE, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP which has been negotiating with Whitehall, welcomed the latest deal.

“Once again Greater Lincolnshire has done very well in this latest round of funding from central government which supports growth and job creation in the regions by providing money for major infrastructure projects,” said Ursula.

“The five projects which made up our bid for the second round of Growth Deals focus on improving vital transport infrastructure at the ports, building on our excellence in the agrifood sector at Holbeach, unlocking land for much-needed housing and transforming Scunthorpe town centre.

“The latest Growth Deal will bring almost £15m of additional Government funding into Greater Lincolnshire to kickstart these projects, giving our economy a further boost and creating jobs.”

Last year’s Growth Deal for Greater Lincolnshire is already bringing £48.3m of investment in the first year (2015/16) and a further £62.9m from 2016/17 onwards.

It is supporting 12 major developments across Greater Lincolnshire, from the Grantham Southern
Relief Road in the south of the county to the Boole Technology Centre in Lincoln.

Greg Clark MP, Minister for Cities, said: “For Britain to fulfil its potential every part of the country must be an engine of growth. Our successful programme of City Deals and Growth Deals has put power and resources into the hands of local leaders. This billion-pound expansion of Growth Deals fuels the momentum that is now under way in our local economies.”

Specific project information

Peppermint Interchange, Holbeach

Councillor Colin Davie, Lincolnshire County Council:

“I am delighted that this allocation shows Government’s commitment to the Greater Lincolnshire LEP – and the Greater Lincolnshire LEP’s commitment to growing major sectors within our economy like agri-food.

“As the lead applicant for this bid, the county council recognises that new transportation schemes have a real benefit on the local economy.”

Councillor Nick Worth, South Holland District Council:

“South Holland has a vital role to play in the county’s economic prosperity. The roundabout at Peppermint Junction is a much requested and vital part of infrastructure that will enable both housing and economic development and be of huge benefit to the town.

“The food sector around Holbeach and Spalding makes a major contribution to both the local and national economy.  I am pleased we have been able to work with the Greater Lincolnshire LEP to bring this project forward and to support the further growth of our agri-food sector.”

Agri-Food Centre of Excellence, University of Lincoln

The university’s bid is for capital funding for a centre of excellence for the agri-food industry, with a focus on higher level skills and agri-tech and food manufacturing research. The aim is to strengthen research, technological development and innovation in Lincolnshire’s agri-food industry to aid competitiveness.

The university has identified agri-tech as a strategically important area for the development of the whole College of Science, and so this fits into the wider development of science at the university. The funding will allow us to improve the National Centre for Food Manufacturing and grow activity; we expect to make a series of other bids.

Professor Andrew Hunter, Pro Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Science, University of Lincoln:

“The university is pleased that the LEP has prioritised the proposed Agri-Food Centre of Excellence for funding under the Growth Deal. The university has growing research strengths in agri-tech, and it is a strategic priority for our future development. The centre will act as a gateway for collaboration between the university and local industry, strengthening collaboration and contributing to regional competitiveness.”

DISTRIBUTION AND ITS' CHALLENGES - HAVE YOUR SAY!

Tell us all about your distribution experiences in a survey we will be sending out shortly!

We want to here all about requirements, methods and positive and negative experiences. Big or small, we don't discriminate! We want to hear it all!

So look out for the survey in your inbox and fill it in for us!

LATEST SELECT AWARD COVERAGE FEATURING SLEAFORD BUSINESSES

We're delighted to see the Sleaford Standard featuring Ownsworth Rapeseed, The Farm Kitchen and Manor House Stables in their latest edition. 

COUNTY CRISPS MAKER VOTED 'BEST SNACK BRAND 2015'

Pipers Crisps have won the 'Best Snack Brand' 2015 as voted by retailers for the third year in a row. The crisps received the prestigious award by the Guild of Fine Foods magazine and are currently available in around 5,000 outlets across the UK.

Alex Albone, Founder of Pipers Crisps, said: "We're so proud to have won the 'Best Brand' accolade not once, but three times in a row. It's an especially important award because it's voted for by the retailers themselves, our own customers.

Read all about it in the Lincolnshire Business magazine here.

JOB VACANCY -Experienced Cooks / Sous Chefs (PT/FT)

Bizzibees Caterers --Immediate requirement

Very experienced Cook and or Chefs required to cook and present food directly to our customers to an exceptionally high standard. 

You would be required to work at high profile venues, wedding and corporate events and exclusive parties.

Excellent rates of pay according to experience and ability.

A driving licence is essential.

Work in and around the Spilsby area.

For more information please contact Caroline on: 07419128338/01754 830654

or daytime email: bizzibees@btinternet.com                                

NEW SELECT COLUMN IN TARGET SERIES FOCUSES ON LINCOLNSHIRE PRODUCE FOR CHRISTMAS

Our regular column in the Target series at the end of last year, focused on how to integrate Lincolnshire produce into your Christmas Meal. 

Written by our very own Charlotte Goy, the article focuses on Christmas traditions and the local producers who can help make your Christmas dinner one to remember.

Charlotte looks at our very own Myers Quality Bakers. Myers Quality Bakers scooped gold at this year's Lincolnshire Poacher Award for its Plumbread; and the loving attention attention paid to its Plumbread is echoed in its Christmas Puddings.

The article also features Pink Pig Farm  and Meridian Meats, who are both local suppliers of festive trimmings and a variety of Christmas meats.

Do you have any suggestions as to what our next column should focus on? Who do you think deserves a mention? Do you want a mention?

Get in touch! Email Sarah.Botha@lincs-chamber.co.uk and let us know!

MEDIA CONTACT FOR SELECT MEMBERS

Hazel Donnelly recently approached Select Lincolnshire about offering her services as a Media Contact for member.

I am Project Director of New Media Lincs, which has been set-up as a Social Enterprise, to provide reasonably priced work for businesses, charities, local authorities and the community.

The business is affiliated with the Media Faculty at the University of Lincoln and we can provide students who will produce high calibre filming, photography, graphics, sound and music production, web design, animation, and social media.

We also have excellent facilities for hire in the form of HD TV studios, music recording and photographic studios, editing suites and conference facilities.

We have also expanded our equipment recently to include High Speed cameras, drones and Oculus Rift.

Please have a look at our showreel and website to see the range and calibre of work available.

http://youtu.be/p06NNLNIWck  degree show 2013

www.newmedialincs.com

For more information, contact Hazel Donnelly on 07860435026 or email hdonnelly@lincoln.ac.uk

UNCLE HENRY'S LINCOLNSHIRE SAUSAGE WINS THE ONE SHOW

Matt Baker (Presenter), Emma Ward (Uncle Henry's General Manager), Alex Jones (Presenter), Sam Ward (Uncle Henry's)

Uncle Henry’s Butchery, 15 miles north of Lincoln, has won the Best Sausage Award for their Lincolnshire Sausage live on the BBC One Show.

On Wednesday, Uncle Henry’s attended the BBC One Shows’ Sausage Festival held at their studios in London. Throughout the day, Uncle Henry’s were selling their award winning Lincolnshire sausages to members of the public alongside 5 other butchers from across the country.

At 7pm, the One Show went live and Emma Ward, General Manager at Uncle Henry’s was interviewed live on the show by presenter Matt Baker and guest Harry Hill. When asked how the Lincolnshire sausage open texture is created, Emma said, ‘We are 5th generation farmers and butchers and we make our Lincolnshire Sausages with our award winning home reared pork. We use only the finest cuts, the shoulder and the belly to achieve the characteristic open texture of our Lincolnshire Sausage’. The Uncle Henry’s Lincolnshire sausage is flavoured with a secret combination of black pepper and sage to give it its great taste.

Uncle Henry’s Lincolnshire sausage was judged against the other butchers sausages by members of the public throughout the day and Harry Hill announced Uncle Henry’s as the winner at the end of the live show. In the closing credits, Emma said ‘we are so pleased to have brought the counties most iconic food product to the capital and to be going home with the trophy’.

The One Show trophy is now in pride of place back on display in the Uncle Henry’s butchery.