WEST Cheshire’s leading food and drink industries have showcased their award-winning produce in Parliament in a bid to attract EU funding.
Cheshire Farm Ice Cream, Joinsons Butchers, Le Chocolatier, Rowlands Red Poll Beef, Spitting Feathers, Chorlton Cheshire Cheese and Jane’s Handmade Bread were invited along with 11 other county producers to showcase their unique food and drink before hundreds of MPs at the Houses of Parliament in London.
The aim of the visit, which was facilitated by Taste Cheshire, was to raise awareness of Cheshire food and drink among key decision-makers and to highlight the importance of buying local produce.
Taste Cheshire chairman Stephen Wundke said: “They were all very impressed by the diversity of the food and drink we are able to grow and produce and we hope that we have created a lasting impact on them for the future.”
Huw Rowlands, of Rowlands Red Poll Beef in Mickle Trafford called this a fantastic opportunity and said: “By doing this they keep local farming and trade prosperous and the local economy buoyant within the local community.”
Matt Walley, of Spitting Feathers in Waverton, thanked Taste Cheshire for the opportunity and said: “It is vital that as a county we continue to make an impact where it matters and have our voices heard.”
Taste Cheshire is aware of EU funding that will be available to the UK for British food and hope the tasting would ensure that Cheshire is at the forefront of ministers’ minds when this becomes available.
After the MPs tasted the Cheshire food and drink, each one left with a Cheshire lunch box, which included the very best of Cheshire produce for them to enjoy back at their desks.
