Meet the Buyer event secures millions for food firms
MORE than £3m of new business has been generated following this year’s Regional Food Group (RFG) Meet the Buyer event.
The event, which was the sixth of its kind held in the Yorkshire, saw 25 local companies benefit from £3.5m in new business orders.
It gave producers the opportunity to showcase their products in front of influential buyers from national supermarkets, independent stores and local hospitality providers such as Asda, Cedar Court Hotels and Punch Taverns.
Boroughbridge based Paynes Dairies – one of the largest independent dairies in the UK – picked up £500,000 worth of business from the Proudfoot Group to supply fresh milk.
Kevin Leech, sales director at Paynes Dairies, said: “Attending the event has been extremely worthwhile for us from a business point of view.
“It’s a great way to meet new customers and we will definitely be attending any future Meet the Buyer events.”
Another company in North Yorkshire to enjoy success was Taste Tradition.
The family run business, based in Thirsk, which produces high quality rare/native breed meat, came away from the event with more than £50, 000 worth of business secured.
James Wright, a director at Taste Tradition, said: “The meet the buyer event is the only event I know of where we can meet so many good quality contacts in such a short space of time.
“This year’s event was especially fruitful for Taste Tradition as we came away from it with both definite orders and plenty of good sales leads to follow up.”
In addition to the amount of business generated, the Meet the Buyer event has also been fundamental in creating seven new jobs and safeguarding a further 40 across the region.
RFG chief executive Jonathan Knight said: “The six month results that we have seen from this year’s event are extremely encouraging.
“The amount of revenue that has been created is a great boost to the local economy and the fact that the event has been responsible for safeguarding and creating jobs in the current climate is certainly impressive.
Other companies in the North Yorkshire to benefit from the event include, Swaledale Cheese Company, Bleikers Smokehouse, Choc – affair, Sweet Moments, Herbs Unlimited, Sloe Motion and Shepherds Purse Cheeses.
