Hundreds of food and drink buyers from across the Central South came to meet local producers and secure deals at the annual Local Produce Trade Show.
There was a real buzz in the room at the Hilton Southampton at the Utilita Bowl for LPTS25 with 70 exhibitors and more than 300 attendees.
The day started with a panel discussion led by Natasha Dochniak, Commercial Manager at Hampshire Fare, featuring:
- Haley Elston, aka the Codmother, owner of Catch
- Peter Morgan, Director, The Book and Bucket Cheese
- Samantha Blake, Retail Specialist, Isle of Wight Tomatoes
- Jo Coleman, Chief Mint Officer, Summerdown Farms
Haley shared the insight she had gained from winning the chance to have her fishcakes stocked in Aldi, while Jo explained the mint products his company produces are now available from Sydney to San Francisco.
Peter said he had started his cheese business from scratch and was completely self-taught. Now his cheese is featuring on menus for Cunard and Samantha said flavour is still the determining factor for why people choose to buy.
The Local Produce Trade Show is now in its 17th year and has gone from strength to strength. Originally started as a means to encourage local produce to feature on the menu for cruise ships departing from the Port of Southampton, buyers are now drawn from hospitality and other major businesses across the Central South.
Leigh-Sara Timberlake, Group CEO of Business South, said: “We always love getting the producers together for this event. It’s such a positive vibe and its brilliant to see business being done.”
Business South works with Hampshire Fare to ensure a rich variety of produce and drink from across the region features at the show.
Natasha Dochniak, Commercial Manager, Hampshire Fare said: “It’s been inspiring to see so many passionate producers showcasing the best of local food and drink here in Hampshire and on the IOW. The connections made at the Local Produce Trade Show will help shape the future of our region’s food industry — supporting sustainability, quality, and innovation.”
New for 2025 was the Taste of the Central South awards.
- Brand & Packaging – Sponsored by Cavendish Ship Stores presented by Peter Alton and Mark Cristofoli. Winner = Wessex Country Gammons.
- Stand Out Stand – Sponsored by First Stop Hygiene presented by Charlotte Thompson. Winner = Isle of Wight Tomatoes
- Taste of the Region – Sponsored by Hampshire Fare presented by Natalie Hargreaves. Winner = Otties
Leigh explained: “This is the first year we have run the Taste of the Central South awards. We wanted to recognise excellence in our region and highlight the businesses that are going above and beyond.
“Ensuring your brand and packaging are work hard for you is an important element for local producers and we wanted to reward the exhibitor who is getting this really right. We also wanted to recognise the exhibitor made their stand look the most enticing and finally we wanted to mark the Taste of the Region, to celebrate the flavours that are taking the concept of delicious to a new level.”
