The 12th annual Local Produce Trade Show will take place on Friday 24th January 2020, at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton. Jon Barfoot Co-Founder & CEO of plant-based brands Boxxfresh.com and Vegbred® will open the event.
The long-established Show, develops local supply chains by putting suppliers directly in touch with buyers, and highlights the importance of the vibrant food and drink industry that the region has to offer.
The event, which is organised by Business South, and sponsored by Cavendish Ships Stores, Carnival UK, Cunard, Hampshire Fare, Hampshire Farmers’ Markets, New Forest Marque, and Paris Smith, has been supporting local producers for over a decade.
Jon Barfoot Co-Founder & CEO of innovative food development company Verdora will open the event. Promoting local, healthy and seasonal produce has been at the heart of Jon Barfoot’s 18-year career in the food, retail and international agri-business sector.
Passionate about creating sustainable purpose-driven brands and plant-based products, Jon entered the start-up world with plant-based home delivery business Boxxfresh in 2017 with his wife Kelly Barfoot. Boxxfresh delivers boxes of fresh produce from the farm directly to customers across the region, providing a convenient local and seasonal alternative to supermarket produce without the plastic, food miles or faff.
Under the Verdora company, Jon has since gone on to launch the Vegbred brand, an alternative healthy range of breads uniquely made from up-cycled vegetables.
“Creating innovative products and food brands that meet the high demands of the next generation conscious consumer is Verdora’s mission” explains Jon. “The Local Produce Trade Show aligns with our vision, bringing food and drink producers together with industry buyers who endeavour to purchase with a responsible conscience.”
“Visitors to the Show will be rewarded with a plethora of excellent local suppliers exhibiting on the day. Events like this are extremely positive for the food industry, they are a celebration of local food artisans that retain traditions and seasonality whilst embracing innovation. The Local Produce Trade Show supports our local food and drink economy and heritage whilst supporting our local producers to run sustainable and successful businesses.”
Boxxfresh along with 60 other local producers will be exhibiting at the Local Produce Trade Show introducing their products to over 350 chefs and buyers. Suppliers at the 2020 event include Laverstoke Park, River Coffee Roasters, Hampshire Salami, New Forest Spirits and Hampshire Cheeses.
For food and drink producers, the event provides unrivalled meet the buyer opportunities along with a seminar programme providing expert insight into food industry issues.
For chefs and buyers, the event provides an invaluable opportunity to source new and exciting ingredients whilst supporting the regional economy and its local producers. Previous buyers have included; Carnival UK, University of Southampton, Ideal Collection, Hampshire County Council and Hilton at the Ageas.
To enquire about exhibiting at the event please contact eventsadmin@businesssouth.org
This event is open to genuine buyers of food and drink to attend for free, to register for free email eventsadmin@businesssouth.org or call 02382 021280.
For more information please visit www.businesssouth.org
