A WORKSHOP on bringing more locally sourced food into Middlesbrough takes place in the town next month.
The Growing Middlesbrough event aims to build on the success of Middlesbrough Environment City’s ‘Local Food for Local Business’ initiative in October.
The latest networking drive will focus on how to create and implement a sustainable food policy to enable businesses of all sizes to make decisions to improve the financial, social and environmental impacts of their operations.
The event will feature examples of current best practice from Durham County Council, and overview of Middlesbrough College’s innovative Smart Buying Strategy and tips on writing supplier tendering bids.
In a recent survey of Middlesbrough residents, all respondents indicated that they wanted to be able to buy more local food, with 80% stating that it was important to them that food is locally produced, principally because of the boost it gives to the town’s economy and the increased availability of jobs.
Yet accessing local food, particularly when out and about, can be hard.
Event organiser Joe Dunne, of Middlesbrough Environment City, said: “Procurement – the sourcing of goods by organisations – has traditionally been seen as a difficult exercise, particularly for small-scale businesses and at a local level.
“There are, however, examples of Middlesbrough outlets that have overcome challenges such as distribution and continuity of supply, bringing about new routes to market for other local food producers.”
Next month’s event is an opportunity to share such examples, and allow food businesses to network and find new links.
The Food Procurement in Middlesbrough workshop takes place at the Riverside Stadium on Thursday, February 11 from 10am to 1pm.
It’s open to all, from small cafes to larger restaurants, speciality farmers to food wholesalers and distributors, and is free to attend.
Delegates can register for a place by visiting www.menvcity.org.uk/gm/events
For more information visit the MEC link or contact organiser Joe Dunne on 01642 243183 or email joe.dunne@menvcity.org.uk