Food and drink from Hampshire and the wider Central South has been showcased to some of the UK’s most influential buyers, as Business South and Hampshire Fare took a selection of local produce to London.
Last week, the organisations delivered Central South Food & Drink hampers to national names including Harrods, Selfridges, The Grocer and The Caterer, highlighting the quality, provenance and innovation of producers from Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Dorset and West Sussex.
The visits form part of a wider push to strengthen regional supply chains and build new relationships with major hospitality and retail buyers, and come ahead of the Central South Food & Drink Trade EXPO 2026, which will be held at the Hilton Southampton Utilita Bowl on Tuesday 10 February 2026.
The Expo will feature keynote speeches from two leading industry figures, including Kate Nicholls OBE, Chair of UKHospitality, and Nick Wenman, Chair of WineGB. The event will bring together more than 60 food producers and 10 regional vineyards, alongside buyers from hospitality, retail, cruise and foodservice.
Leigh-Sara Timberlake, CEO of Business South, said:
“Taking Central South produce to London was about opening doors and showing buyers the exceptional quality and ambition that exists across our region. The response we’ve had reinforces the growing appetite for strong regional supply chains and provenance-led food and drink.”
The London activity follows recent meetings with buyers closer to home, where discussions have focused on elevating product quality, ingredient-first ranges and provenance-led storytelling, alongside opportunities for own-label development, branded partnerships and collaborations — areas where Central South producers excel.
Natasha Dochniak, Commercial Manager at Hampshire Fare, said:
“The Central South Food & Drink Trade EXPO is a hugely important event for our region. Having Kate Nicholls OBE join us as keynote speaker is particularly significant at a time when hospitality businesses are facing unprecedented pressures.
“The EXPO plays a vital role in connecting exceptional local producers with influential buyers and in championing the quality, innovation and ambition of food and drink from Hampshire and the wider Central South.”
The event will also include a hospitality round-table discussion, opportunities for buyers to meet producers face-to-face, and the Taste of the Central South Awards.
Hospitality and retail buyers interested in attending the Central South Food & Drink Trade EXPO 2026 can find full details and registration information via the Business South website.
