GREAT local food and drink will once again take centre stage when the popular Middlesbrough Local Food Weekend returns for its last outing of the year next week.
The town’s sixth Local Food Weekend from Friday, December 1 to Sunday, December 3 will showcase all that’s great about local produce and give diners the opportunity to sample delicious local food and drink at participating independent food and drink outlets.
The Infant Hercules, one of Middlesbrough’s award winning micro pubs, is taking part in this Local Food Weekend and will have local beers on pump.
Owners Neil and Liz Hodds said: “We are really excited to be a part of this event and to showcase some of the fantastic beers that are made locally.
“We regularly get local beers in and they are always extremely popular with our customers who love supporting local breweries.”
In a recent residents’ survey, the vast majority of respondents said they wanted to be able to buy more local food and 80% stated it was important that the food they bought was locally produced.
Growing Middlesbrough is a Middlesbrough Environment City-led campaign to improve access to local food.
The initiative also helps to create jobs and support the local economy by increasing the use of food and drink which has been grown or produced within 50 miles of the town.
By buying locally sourced food and drink diners are supporting local growers and smaller-scale food and drink producers and boosting Middlesbrough’s economy.
Middlesbrough Environment City Food Partnership Manager Joe Dunne said: “The past few years have seen significant and radical changes to Middlesbrough’s food culture.
“The town now boasts not only a vibrant food nightlife with a resurgence of high quality local independent restaurants, cafes and bars, but a thriving movement of local and sustainable food procurement.
“This helps the town become a place where local people can eat good quality, healthy food that is easy to buy, offers value for money and is produced locally wherever possible.
“Why not come and try some tasty local food and drink for yourselves at the Local Food Weekend and make it a great start to the Festive season!”
MEC Chair Councillor Julia Rostron said: “Local Food Weekends are a true celebration of the great produce, entrepreneurship and creativity that we have right on our doorstep.
“Not only is local food fresher and better for you, it helps to create jobs, supports local businesses and keeps more money in the region.”
People attending Local Food Weekend can also enter a free prize draw for a meal for two by competing a short survey on the Growing Middlesbrough website at www.growingmiddlesbrough.org.uk.
Participating venues include the likes of The Infant Hercules, Bedford Street Coffee House, Mohujos Burrito Bar, The Curing House, The Garden at Teesside University, The Olde Young Tea House, Oven, Al Forno, Fellini’s, The Smeltery at mima, and Off The Ground Coffee and organisers are urging other restaurants and cafes and micro-pubs to get in touch and take part.
- Restaurants, cafes, bars and food outlets keen to get involved in Local Food Weekends are asked to contact Joe Dunne on 01642 579820 or email joe.dunne@menvcity.org.uk.
For further information about Growing Middlesbrough and to find Local Food Weekend participating food outlets visit www.growingmiddlesbrough.org.uk