Local food hero gets second financial boost
A NETWORK for food producers in the north of England has secured a £30,000 investment from Partnership Investment Finance (PIF).
Gargrave, near Skipton-based Feast Net links farmers, growers and producers with retailers, chefs and consumers and is now delivering locally grown produce to Yorkshire schools from its two distribution hubs.
The business, which was launched in 2005 by Rebecca Roberts, originally received a loan from PIF in 2007 for working capital and to employ a full-time member of staff.
The second loan will allow the company to invest in a website and automated booking system to fulfill the new schools contract.
Ms Roberts said that the business had proved more successful than she had ever imagined and that the loan would enable it to function more efficiently and grow.
“I am passionate about supporting local food producers and I created Feast Net in order to introduce farmers and producers to the consumer market either directly or via a network of independent retailers,” she added.
Graham Leake, PIF senior lending manager, said: “We were pleased to lend our support to Feast Net as it is an excellent concept and one which has benefited a number of other local companies.
PIF is a £37m investment fund aimed at supporting growing businesses in Yorkshire and Humber.
It aims to encourage enterprise and economic regeneration by providing equity investments and loans to eligible businesses in the region’s Objective 2 areas.
Feast Net has drawn praise from the Prince of Wales for its work in promoting local produce.
