The Minister for Rural Affairs will attend a ‘Meet the Producer’ event at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff on March 24, 2010. This event supports small to medium size enterprises and speciality food producers.
The day is designed to inspire tourism and hospitality businesses to provide an even better food experience for visitors. It will showcase food and drink from producers across Wales.
This event has been organised by the Welsh Assembly Government, Capital Region Tourism and UWIC. It will introduce owners, managers and buyers to a diverse range of local food suppliers.
The Minister says:
“The aim of the event is to target local public sector organisations, food producers and tourism operators with a range of informative and interactive sessions to raise awareness of local and regional products, their sourcing, distribution and use.
“This event forms part of the Local Sourcing and Food Tourism Strategic Action Plans which set out proposals to develop the links between food and tourism and maximise their contribution to the Welsh economy. With the tourism industry becoming increasingly more competitive, cultural distinctiveness is seen as critical for a destination to stand out.”
The Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones adds:
“The Welsh Assembly Government is determined to enhance the opportunities for Welsh companies to expand their knowledge, contacts and sales within the tourism and hospitality sector.
“The Welsh Assembly Government’s Supplier Development Service and the Fisheries, Food and Market Development Division are pooling their resources, along with acknowledged experts in the sector to give SME and speciality food producers a chance to meet with and show their products to key individuals from the local tourism and hospitality industry on a face-to-face basis.”
Some of this year’s True Taste food and drink award winners will also be attending.
The buyers attending will include Monmouthshire and Carmarthenshire Council, Wales Millennium Centre, Visit Wales and Cadw along with several universities, restaurants, hotels and guest houses.
