BBO Food Directory
This is an annual publication, printed in full colour, A5 format,
with listings of all BBO Food Group members, editorial features,
recipe ideas and advertisements for local food sector businesses.
The 2009 Directory had a 10,000 print run and was
distributed throughout Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and
Oxfordshire via local shops, libraries, local authorities’ offices,
tourism information centres and Farmers’ Markets as well as at
various local events.
In a survey in 2009 the Food Directory
was voted the most prominent and successful service that the BBO
Food Group offers to the public and to Members.
BBO Food Group Website
This website (which you are viewing) provides up to date
information for producers and consumers on all aspects of the Food
Group.
The News section features latest local and national
food news, Members’ news, the monthly Food Group newsletter and
Governance information.
The Events section details food
activities across the region including markets, shows, food fairs,
trade events and exhibitions with full information and application
forms. Members can register their own events. There are sections
relevant to both producers and consumers for information. Also
available in this section are details of Training – courses and
packages – with joining instructions.
The BBO Food Group
provides a link from its website to each member’s website to
maximise usage of members’ websites. The password-protected Members
section enables all members to update their information when they
want to.
BBO Food Group members are also included in other
on-line promotional databases, such as
www.southeastenglandfoodanddrink.co.uk
Monthly Newsletters and updates
These are sent out to members so that they receive up to date
information on relevant events, news information, trade development
and activities
SEFGP e-Bulletins
The South East Food Group Partnership produces e-Bulletins with
news and details about future events from all the food groups in the
South East (Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, and BBO).
The Food Group meets quarterly at SEFGP to discuss new programmes
and common issues. One example of SEFGP activity is the organisation
of the stand at the annual Speciality and Fine Food Fair (London
Olympia).
Training Courses
Members enjoyed £75 off every training course attended during
2004-2009.
In 2010 a new training subsidised package will be
provided as part of the SEEDA Training Fund.
Examples of courses
include:
- Butchery and Retail costing
- HACCP for Meat producers
- Meat presentation, Packaging and Labeling
- Success with a Farm Shop
- Food Safety, Level 2, Level 3
- HACCP
- Supply Chain Efficiency
- Food Retailing
- Improving Promotional Materials
- Legal Labeling
- Marketing Your Produce
Participation in Events and Shows
The BBO Food Group offers discounted stands at county shows under
the Local Flavours umbrella in which a dedicated area of the Food
Marquee is designated to local food and drink. We are able to
negotiate reduced rates for stands at other events.
For
example Members were able to have stands at the Thame Country Show
at Easter 2009 for £10 per day. Members received £25 off at he Bucks
County Show, The Oxfordshire County Show and The Royal Berkshire
Show. It cost members £100 to exhibit at the Speciality and Fine
Food Fair and International Food Exhibition in London within the
South East England Stand.
Trade Development
activities
BBO Food Group organise activities such as Meet the Buyer events
to support local producers and increase their market opportunities
selling to supermarkets such as Waitrose, Budgens and Asda.
We can help producers who are interested by preparing impressive
portfolios and presentations for the introduction day.
Promotion and support in selling to the catering sector.
In
conjunction with Tourism South East the BBO Food Group runs a number
of events throughout the year to encourage the hospitality sector to
increase its use of local produce.
In 2009 this included 3
chefs’ tours to each of the counties taking local chefs around
producers in their area to meet the farmers and see the produce
being grown to develop links and promote trade between the sectors.
In 2010 joint networking events between TSE and the BBO Food
Group are planned.
General promotion
The BBO Food Group attends events throughout the year including
farmers’ markets all over the 3 counties, exhibitions, county and
national shows, conferences and workshops. We provide
displays, information and literature to be handed out to the general
public or specialist trade audiences. Members can send their
promotional flyers to us and we will do the rest.
Networking
BBO Food Group members rate “networking” as one of the most
necessary services they receive. This is achieved through workshops,
forums and training events. These are excellent opportunities to
gain new contacts, share knowledge and experience, and simply to
relax and enjoy our wonderful local food and drinks.
Local Flavours Festival
The first Local Flavours Festival was organised by BBO Food Group
CIC in 2009. It was generously supported by local authorities in the
3 counties and SEEDA. Festival Partners and Sponsors were Archant
Publishing, Ascot Racecourse, Business Link Milton Keynes,
Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, Fallowfields Country House and
Hotel, Oxfordshire Rural Community Council, Reading UK CIC, The
National Trust, and Tourism South East.
There were over 180
wide ranging variety of events during the 2009 Festival which
included:
- Farm and garden tours, cookery courses, vineyard walks and
wine tasting, apple days and a beer festival
- Local Flavours in the county shows
- Local Flavours menus in pubs and restaurants
- New and established farmers markets celebrating the festival
- Chocolate making and tasting
Members are offered free entry into The Local Flavours
Festival programme (worth £50). The programme included special
offers and discounts for food and drink at several restaurants, farm
shops and festival events, as well as places to stay. Members also
benefit from free promotional posters and marketing services for
their events throughout the Festival.
The dedicated website
www.local-flavours.net
provides full details of and promotion for members’ events, maps,
places to stay, a photograph gallery, regular updates and newslette
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