The countdown has begun for the opening of the much-anticipated Farm Shop & Deli Show 2017. Excitement is mounting, stands are being prepared, food and displays perfected – all the show needs now is you!
Designed especially with the specialist food retailer in mind, the seventh Farm Shop & Deli Show is free to attend for all farm shops, cafés, delis, food halls, garden centres, butcheries, fishmongeries and bakeries. It is the perfect place to find fresh new ideas and inspiration, learn about the latest trends, source winning new lines and meet suppliers face-to-face.
Speaking about some of the many reasons to attend the show as a retailer, Dee Gill, company Director of Dee Lite Bakery says, “The show benefited my business by me being able to actually talk to people and see products in person rather than just a picture or something on the internet.” And Tony Figg, Head Butcher at Chatsworth Farm Shop says, “It benefits us a lot because we’re keeping up with the times.”
With over 450 exhibitors gathered to impress the discerning retailer, visitors’ senses will be deluged in the best possible way by a host of sights, smells and tastes. From frozen rosé wine popsicles (Frozé by POPS, Stand K109) to honeycombs in a crate (Art of Honey Ltd, Stand E24), there is a pleasing surfeit of categories to explore including Bakery, Chocolate, Confectionery & Snacks, Cheese & Dairy, Ethnic, Fairtrade & Organic, Charcuterie & Meat, Seafood, Fruit & Vegetables, Giftware and Beverages. There will even be packaging, labeling, equipment, business services, logistics and supply chain specialists on hand to help get new products noticed and supplied further afield.
Along with a plethora of industry experts and commentators, the show will present a string of prestigious food awards, including Britain’s Best Loaf, sponsored by Rank Hovis and to be announced on Monday April 24 at 1:30pm from the main stage.
Competing in five categories, bakers from all corners of the UK will bring their best sourdough, wholegrain, white, innovation or gluten free offerings before the judges. Britain’s Best Loaf’s overall Winner 2016 was Bexhill Farm Kitchen (left) with their winning white tin loaf. Who will take the title home this year?
On April 25 /26 will be a fun and nail-biting highlight of the live sessions on the Deli Show stage, Dragons’ Pantry. With a bank of discerning dragons ready to pounce on entrepreneurial offerings, participants will have just 15 minutes in front of a large audience to clinch a deal, gain recognition, garner advice or return home with nothing but food for thought.
What will Paul Hargreaves, CEO of Cotswold Fayre and Pantry Dragon be looking for? “Innovation, passion, great packaging and a world-beating product! A concise pitch with visuals and finished product available to taste are always the better ones from my 5 years’ experience of being a dragon!”
Pantry Dragon, Jeremy Bowen from Paxton and Whitfield (Cheesemongers by Royal Appointment) asks for: “True facts and figures rather than fluff and a story… Products and people who have done their homework and delight in a credible dialogue about their yummy product.”
