Growing gains for region’s food manufacturers
MORE key services designed to help the region’s food and drink manufacturers will soon be offered by the Regional Food Group (RFG) thanks to a £4.1m funding boost.
RFG, which is behind the Deliciouslyorkshire brand, has been awarded the money by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward as part of its commitment to the sector.
The additional resource will enable the RFG to strengthen the breadth and depth of its advice and expand the practical business solutions offered.
Currently it advises on new product development, workforce development, automation, accreditation, compliance, safety, audits and trade development.
As a result of the funding the organisation plans to introduce additional initiatives on export and the supply chain and expand its advice on food technology.
It also aims to increase the membership to both help and grow small to medium sized enteprises (SMEs) and to work with established larger manufacturers.
Jonathan Knight, RFG’s chief executive, said that with the projected market for regionally sourced food increasing from £4.3bn in 2007 to £5.7bn in 2012, it was important that the region’s produce was competitive.
“We have already seen some great successes for our members through the practical solutions and advice we offer,” he added.
“Our additional services will present an even stronger support. Food and drink producers and manufacturers can come to us with any related question. We should be regarded as the ‘Google’ for the region’s food and drink industry.”
John Sorsby, food and drink sector manager for Yorkshire Forward, said: “Yorkshire Forward is committed to developing the food and drink sector in the region.
“We have confidence in the Regional Food Group to deliver comprehensive support for the sector and to champion its cause.”
As well as offering advice, the RFG is also helping to highlight issues affecting the food manufacuturing sector such as skills shortages, rising costs and labelling with bodies such as DEFRA and the Food Standards Authority (FSA).
