ORGANISERS for this year’s Local Produce Show have hailed it a great success.

Business South and Hampshire Fare hosted the event at the Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton in a bid to bring together representatives from the hospitality industry and local food and drink producers.

“We were delighted by the response from producers and buyers,” said Leigh-Sara Timberlake, Business South champion manager. “There were more producers than ever before and 250 buyers who came through the doors. We had everyone from the executive pastry chef from Cunard to top chefs from leading hotels coming to see the beautiful produce we had on show.”

Tracy Nash, commercial manager of Hampshire Fare, added: “There was a complete buzz at the show with lots of buyers at the event and a great deal of productive dialogue going on between prospective buyers and local producers.

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“I have had lots of positive feedback from our members saying it was a fantastic event. They particularly appreciated gaining valuable information from our expert panel sessions which included pertinent issues such as distribution and accreditation.”

First-time exhibitor Hugo Hardman, from Chalk Stream Foods, said: “As a new company this was our first show and we were delighted by the response from buyers and fellow delegates alike. We will definitely be taking a stand again next year as I believe it will become an invaluable part of our business growth.”

Kate Hibbert, local sourcing manager for The Southern Co-operative, said: “The Local Produce Show is always a key date in our calendar. It enables us to access some fabulous producers, all under one roof, with a view to ranging their products within The Southern Co-operative's expanding Local Flavours range.

“With some producers we have long-standing affiliations while others are new to us, but it is always good to meet face-to-face and chat as our work with the local food producing community is based on forming and maintaining strong relationships.”