The horse meat scandal may have sent some mass-market food producers racing for answers, but it looks set to give yet another boost to those small companies who focus on local ingredients.
While some industries may struggle, Northamptonshire’s food and drink scene seems to be growing, with more and more artisan producers starting up to produce everything from gin or beer to sausages or cupcakes.
And this month a guide, entitled Local Food & Drink in Northamptonshire, has brought more than 60 local businesses – ranging from breweries to tea shops and farm shops – into one brochure, available at venues across the county from March 19.
The new guide was launched at a recent event held at The Saracen’s Head in Little Brington, attended by members of the foodie group, Made in Northamptonshire (MIN).
The guide, funded by the Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership, includes the details of MIN members and non-members and will be available in venues such as farm shops, county visitor attractions and delis, to help spread the word about the home-spun culinary goodies Northamptonshire has to offer.
Rachel Mallows, who leads the MIN group, said: “This is the first one produced and we are hoping to get more businesses in there in the future.
“Northamptonshire is responsible for 10 per cent of the UK’s total wheat storage, milling and processing so there are many businesses we can aspire to, like Weetabix and all kinds of other organisations.”
Speaking about the horse meat crisis, Rachel believes there will be positive impacts for small, local producers.
“Some of the local butchers have said it has been very good for them.
“People can go into a local butcher’s and see what they are buying.
“I would hope it is encouraging people to look locally and not buy processed foods.”
She said: “The small producers included in the guide are those people who can guarantee where their ingredients come from and they are absolutely vital to keeping a local economy going.
“They are creating jobs and save flying things in from far-away countries.
“My belief in Made in Northamptonshire is that it helps support local businesses and helps to build a community.”
Other names in the guide, to mention just a few, are Rutting Reds Venison, of Newnham; Sargeant’s Butchers, of Northampton; Farrington Oils, in Hargrave; The Pickled Village, in Bulwick; and Moreton Mushrooms, of Moreton Pinkney.
One newly-established producer mentioned is Brigstock Brewhouse, a brewery producing real ale and using natural spring water from a local limestone aquifer.
One of the longer-running businesses featured is Hoggley’s Brewery of Litchborough, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
Roy Crutchley, who set the brewery up a decade ago in his shed and has watched it grow into professional premises, said: “I think the guide is so important because, for us producers, we are so busy producing the stuff, but marketing is important as well as it can help us get our products and information out to people.”