Visit Northumberland and Northumberland County Council have launched the new Taste of Northumberland scheme.
A first in the UK, the initiative brings together bookable county-wide foodie experiences and tours with a new quality mark that assures consumers of genuine ingredients, artisan skill, and locally sourced products.
Taste of Northumberland brings together the county’s finest food, drink and hospitality businesses to shape and strengthen Northumberland’s reputation as a leading destination for outstanding local produce.
Led by Visit Northumberland, and working closely with Food and Drink North East and Business Northumberland, the initiative provides access to tailored business support programmes and connects the people and businesses behind the county’s vibrant food and drink sector. To-date, close to 100 producers, retailers and hospitality businesses have come together to share and celebrate Northumberland’s food story.
Northumberland is well known for its exceptional food and drink offer, which is the largest contributor to the visitor economy, generating half a billion pounds in economic value and supporting more than 46% of sector employment. According to Visit Northumberland, the strength of the food and drink sector continues to underpin visitor satisfaction, destination distinctiveness, and high-value experiences across both urban and rural areas.
“Taste of Northumberland is a celebration of authenticity and heritage that reassures customers of genuine local ingredients,” said Visit Northumberland chair Andrew Fox. “We are thrilled to be launching it to consumers and to be welcoming a range of media outlets to Northumberland to showcase the county’s exceptional food offering – from behind-the-scenes tours with our producers to tastings and foodie-themed experiences.”
More than just an accreditation scheme, Taste of Northumberland links provenance and the visitor offer in a county-wide programme, and it is as much about education as it is about enjoyment.
The scheme offers a trusted mark of quality, showcasing Northumberland’s finest products to retailers, buyers and consumers. There is also a compelling visitor offer, bringing together bookable county-wide immersive foodie experiences from tastings and pop-ups to special menu events, foodie trails and more. Meanwhile, the connected network of producers and hospitality venues places businesses at the heart of Northumberland’s food and drink story – offering access to events, campaign and promotional opportunities, and a community of like-minded members.
At a moment when the issues around UK food production are at their most pressing – both in terms of our collective health and wellbeing and environmental and economic impact – Taste of Northumberland also invites immersive discovery of the area’s natural produce. The scheme aims to strengthen local supply chains, boost economic resilience, and increase consumer confidence in Northumberland produce.
Cllr Wendy Pattison said: “Northumberland has every reason to be proud of its food and drink; of the landscapes that shape it; and of the people who grow, make and serve it with such care and skill. Taste of Northumberland brings that pride together for the first time, uniting our producers and hospitality businesses under a trusted mark that reflects the quality and authenticity of what our county does best.
“This exciting new scheme not only celebrates our rich food heritage, but it also strengthens local supply chains, supports jobs, and invites residents and visitors alike to experience Northumberland through its exceptional local produce.”
Businesses already signed up to the programme include Pine, First & Last Brewery, Buston Potatoes, The Orangery at The Tempus, Turnbull’s Northumbrian Food, Running Fox, Blackfriars, Dobson & Parnell, Northumbrian Gifts, Triple A Food Tours, and Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum and Whisky Distillery.
For more information visit www.visitnorthumberland.org.uk/what-we-do/product-development/taste-of-northumberland
