Boxing clever at overseas event

These are just some of the boxes of produce from Marches food and drink producers that made their way overseas as part of a major Meet the Buyer event.

The boxes of samples were sent to representatives around the world as part of a showcase of the best food and drink the region can offer.

Buyers from 20 different countries were brought together with 51 producers and suppliers from across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire to help drive new exports from the region.

The event was organised by David Caine, the new specialist food and drink adviser appointed to cover the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership region and Worcestershire, who works with Shropshire Chamber of Commerce and Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber along with the Department for International Trade (DIT).

David said the event was part of a major drive to encourage new and inexperienced food and drink exporters from the region to develop new markets in the wake of the UK’s exit from the EU and the signing of a raft of new trade deals.

“We put together a full day of events for companies who had pre-registered and samples of produce from the region were sent out to the buyers, who included representatives from supermarkets, agents and distributors. We were delighted tohave been able to introduce them to so many wonderful producers from the region.

“We hope the day will have opened up lots of new, prosperous markets for our producers, who showcased some of the best produce the Marches can offer and that it will have helped to establish successful business relationships for years to come.”

Pictured:  Some of the boxes of produce that were sent overseas