A new service has been launched to help Gloucestershire food and drink producers link up with local shops, find delicatessens and restaurants that can sell their goods.
It is aimed at helping farmers and small-scale producers grow their businesses, seek find a route to market, order and navigate the rules and regulations over food production, packaging and sales.
Called BK FreshTrack the service has been launched by land and property consultants, Bruton Knowles, who have 150 years of experience of working with small, rural businesses. Using their network of contacts throughout the South West and West Midlands regions they aim to help producers and those wanting to stock, sell or serve regional goods.
Philip Cowen of BK FreshTrack said: “We are aiming to make artisan food accessible to a range of markets. There is increasing consumer interest in buying local, fresh, artisan food at farmers markets, farm shops, delicatessens and independent shops.
“But many of the producers have started out as a sideline to a farm or other rural business or can only produce in certain quantities. They may sell at Farmer’s Markets but find that a tough and time consuming way to sell. They also have to grapple with all the rules and regulations.
“Our sole aim is to make the field to fork chain easier and quicker. Helping artisan producers connect with food retailers and food service companies.”
As well as retail outlets BK FreshTrack is helping to forge the links in the supply chain for restaurants keen to differentiate themselves by serving local fresh produce, sourced directly from the artisan producer.
Whether the producers are in the early stages of their business, making cheeses from the farm dairy or jams in the kitchen, or at the next stage with a broader product range, the plan is to get them into the market as widely and quickly as possible.
Through BK FreshTrack’s marketing and commercial expertise, assistance is given to the producer to ensure all their product marketing (such as labelling, social media, website), technical specifications and distribution methods are in place to meet the demands of the food retailers.
These products are then introduced to a network of food retailers and food service companies, including wholesalers, farm shops, hotel and restaurant chains and delicatessens. Through BK FreshTrack’s supply chain management system, the supply of all produce can be tracked at every stage – from the raw ingredients right through to the shelf or plate – giving the buyer and consumer total assurance about the quality and provenance of the food they are selling, serving or eating.
BK FreshTrack will become a channel through which small scale artisan producers can get their products to market with the confidence that it will meet the rigorous, but necessary, marketing, technical and distribution standards. For retailers and food service companies BK FreshTrack will be a fresh and exciting source of the very best British produce giving them the confidence that it has the quality, taste and provenance to delight and engage their customers.
Said Philip Cowen: “Our initial launch covers the West Midlands and the South West and we are particularly interested to hear from food producers in Gloucestershire or any hotels, restaurants and shops in the region that are looking for local producers.”
More information about the service can be seen at www.bkfreshtrack.co.uk