CORNWALL foodfinder Dec 08 No.5

Print
print
Cornwall foodfinder bites

Dear all, welcome to this edition of foodfinder bites, we hope you find some tasty treats. Enjoy!
CASE STUDY & PRODUCT FOCUS

CASE STUDY: Ballardsfield Farm

Ballardsfield Farm  is run by husband and wife team, Adrian and Clare Ballard. They are specialist producers of free range rare breed pedigree Gloucester Old Spot Pigs & Pork - Traditionally slow raised here in the heart of Cornwall. By farming their stock the old fashioned way they are able to produce fine quality pork meat, bacon and sausages. Although this farming method isn't as economically efficient as its modern day counterpart this is not reflected in their prices as they sell directly to the consumer. They also operate an open gate policy so you can SEE how your meat is grown. Given that consumers are now more aware of ethical and environmental issues Adrian Ballard comments:

‘Our Farming methods and animal welfare standards ensure a superior end product second to none, drug free and natural, how pork used to be in bygone days. For real meat you can see born, grown and living free in the field with a taste you may well have forgotten or even never known. Our products are used in pubs and restaurants and by families who care about where there food comes from and are active in their support for our local farming community.'

They sell direct from their farm shop open Sunday mornings, they also sell at local village halls  and direct from their website at www.ballardsfield.com - they also deliver meat boxes anywhere mainland UK.

Further information about Ballardsfield Farm - including customer reviews, can be found on their website at www.ballardsfield.com. They supply both public and trade, for details email sales@ballardsfield.com or contact Adrian or Clare on Tel. 01726 882 861.



PRODUCT FOCUS: Polgoon 
 
Polgoon produce award winning wines, an amazing vintage cider called Aval (Cornish for apple), cloudy pressed apple juice, apple and raspberry and red and white grape juices. These are available in small 250ml bottles and large 750ml bottles. Polgoon recently won Best Drinks Producer 2008 as voted by Cornwall Life readers. Polgoon products can be bought from local delis, independent wine merchants and from the cellar door at their vineyard in Penzance. Their first wine, a 2006 still Rosè won the Trophy for the Best Still Rosè in the UK and a gold medal at the Taste of the West Awards as well as Best New Product.

For Christmas Polgoon are bringing out a new product Polgoon Pink, A Rosè version of the Aval with a burst of raspberry!
 
For more details on Polgoon and their products please visit www.polgoon.co.uk,  email john@polgoon.co.uk or call 01736 333946.

 
Each issue of Foodfinder Bites we want to focus on any new and exciting products.  We want to hear from you if you have new lines, especially if you can provide a picture of the product. Email: help@enterprise-edge.co.uk.
MARKET RESEARCH: Organic Food

The organic food market had reached £1.75bn in UK sales at the end of 2007 according to Key Note, and the market was expected to grow by 10-15% each year. Although there have been reports in the media of a slump in organic food and drink sales, this trend has not been recognised by the Soil Association. Organic sales grew by 22% in the period 2006/07, making the UK the third largest European market for organic produce. Concerns over organic food sales have risen due to the general economic trend. Another reason for the expected decrease in sales by the end of 2008 is that only 66% of organic food sold in the UK was actually British last year, creating concerns on food mileage and adding travelling costs. This apparent downturn is thought to become offset by the production of local organic food. This is an opportunity for Cornwall and rural areas to stand out. Supermarkets which currently stock most of the UK organic farmers produce are Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer's and Waitrose, while Morrisons is pushing ahead with its organic and fair trade range. Another popular avenue for purchasing organic food and drink is the direct sale (organic box, mail-order schemes etc.), which increased by 53% from 2006 to 2007.



The benefits of organic produce have been questioned in the past, particularly when the Food Standard Agency (FSA) concluded that there was no scientific evidence to back up the theory that organic produce is more nutritious than the conventionally grown one. However studies have been published which suggest the opposite. The EU-funded Quality Low Input Food project conducted by Nottingham University's farm found that organic milk contains 60% more omega-3 fatty acids, and more anti-oxidants and vitamins than ordinary milk. Also, the University of California found that organically grown tomatoes had double the amount of flavonoids, an anti-oxidant. Anti-oxidants are an important nutritional requirement thought to reduce the risks in cancer and heart disease, and prevent premature ageing. With the knowledge of these added benefits people will be more inclined to buy into organic.

FACTS:



  • Those who are most likely to buy organic food are from Scotland and the South West and are aged between 45-54 (Mintel, 2008)
  • Those who buy organic food are also most likely to consider locally sourced food (Mintel, 2008)
  • Males are just as likely as females to consider purchasing organic food (Mintel,2008)
  • 45% of the branded baby foods market consisted of organic baby and toddler foods in 2007 (Key Note, 2008)
  • The organic foods and drinks market is forecast to grow at a slowing rate in the future, although still exceeding that for non-organic foods (Key Note, 2008)
EVENTS & USEFUL INFORMATION

USEFUL INFORMATION: New Cornwall Foodfinder Directory 2009


LAST CHANCE TO GET YOUR BUSINESS IN THE NEXT CORNWALL FOODFINDER DIRECTORY


If you are a Cornish food or drink producer, or retail predominantly Cornish produce and would like to have your business listed in the next Cornwall Foodfinder Directory (due out in March 2009) please contact Brett Gibson at Enterprise Edge on 01209 722873 or email brettgibson@enterprise-edge.co.uk today.  Applications will only be accepted if they are received in December 2008.
 


EVENT: Farmhouse Breakfast Week

25th - 31st January 2009

Farmhouse Breakfast Week is an annual campaign that emphasises the importance of eating a healthy breakfast every day. 'Think Breakfast' is the theme of this year's celebration to encourage everyone to wake up to breakfast as part of a healthy balanced diet and active lifestyle. Nutritionists agree that a healthy breakfast is essential for starting the day.

All stages of the food chain from farmers to food producers and retailers to consumers are being encouraged to hold events across the country to promote the importance of starting the day with breakfast and to celebrate the wealth of high quality regional produce available across the UK.

To find out more about Farmhouse Breakfast Week, to register your event or to find your local breakfast event please visit www.farmhousebreakfast.com or contact Elsa Brown on 020 7520 3968 or email elsa.brown@hgca.com.


EVENT: Food and Drink Question Time 

A stimulating, tasty programme of events is being hosted by The Chartered Institute of Marketing for spring 2009 with the initial event taking place in Callington on 20 January.

20 January 2009, 6pm: Food and drink question time at Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington.

2 April 2009, 9:30am: Food and Drink Regional Conference at Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington.

The spring programme has a tantalising food and drink theme that kicks off with ‘Food and drink question time'; a question and answer session that will give businesses the opportunity to seek advice from a panel of experienced South West food industry experts ranging from Lloyds TSB Agriculture and the Guild of Fine Food to Michael Horrell from South West Food and Drink and Michael Seymour, regional buyer for Tesco.

The event will explore several issues including; how the numbers of food and drink producers in the South West are increasing and why these producers are important to the region's tourist economy.

Mike Weed, chairman of The Chartered Institute of Marketing Devon and Cornwall branch said, "We have put together a series of what we hope will be very informative events. Our spring 2009 programme is particularly targeted at marketing professionals and small businesses in the food and drink sector. We hope these events will provide an excellent opportunity for business owners and managers to make vital connections."

Businesses can learn the key to success from Guy Watson, founder of Riverford Organic Vegetables, at an event scheduled in June. Guy will speak on how his company has grown into a multi-million pound success story through effective marketing strategies and a strong determination to change the food industry. Early booking is advisable as visitor numbers are limited to 60.

To find out more information on these events taking place in Devon and Cornwall, please contact Elle Robson on 01628 427340 or email ellerobson@cim.co.uk. 




NEW ON-LINE FOODFINDER BITES

THIS IS THE FIFTH EDITION OF THE NEW NEWSLETTER TO ACCOMPANY THE FOODFINDER TRADE DIRECTORY AND WEBSITE.








Cornwall foodfinder is a service of the Cornwall Development Company. The Cornwall Development Company is a local authority company controlled by Cornwall Council. Registered office: Pydar House, Pydar Street, Truro, TR1 1EA. VAT Registration No: 730 2883 45. Registered in England and Wales No: 3668828

Can't see the newsletter? Click here

To stop recieving the newsletter please unsubscribe by clicking here
Cornwall Development Company