Local food a hit with Monmouth residents

Over 150 people had a chance to taste and buy food and drink produced in Monmouthshire at Monmouth Tourist Information Centre (TIC) last week.

Producers participating in the ‘Made in Monmouthshire' initiative gave demonstrations at a free event designed to show what kind of scrumptious produce is available from the local area and the skills of local makers and producers

Kate Burton, TIC Supervisor for Monmouthshire County Council, said:

"The event was a great success and gave people a real flavour of the exciting food produced on our doorstep.

"Made in Monmouthshire celebrates the creative talents of local makers, the skills of local producers and their roles in keeping alive traditions that have shaped the landscape.

"The TIC is the ideal venue for these demos because it's a place designed to give people inspiration about what businesses and products are in the area and the best places for people to visit.

"Many of the producers who are proud to market themselves under the umbrella of 'Made in Monmouthshire' provide services that are a real draw for tourists and we want to do all we can to support them."

Deputy Leader Councillor Greenland, Monmouthshire County Council's cabinet member for economic development and tourism said that local food helps Monmouthshire's economy to flourish:

"We should be proud of our exceptional local produce - it's fresh and tasty and the reduced number of miles travelled to transport it means it's better for the environment.

"Personally, I'm a great fan of locally produced meat that I get from farmers' markets - it really is much more delicious than meat you find at a supermarket.

"One of the most important reasons to buy local produce is because it shows your support for local farmers and shops and it boosts Monmouthshire's economy."

Nicola Smith, MCC's Principal Tourism Officer, said:

"TICs are the perfect venue to celebrate what is distinctive about an area with visitors and residents. Monmouthshire's food offer is the product of the unique relationship between Monmouthshire's people and the land over many centuries. It's this distinctiveness that's so important in developing sustainable tourism destinations.

"We are not just for tourists and we love seeing local people making use of our facilities here.  There are many things people like to find out about their local area that we can help with.  We have a range of gifts for sale and we also offer an accommodation booking service."

The producers featured at the demonstrations were:

• Meadow Farm and Kingstone Brewery
• Parva Farm Vine Yard
• Wye Valley Apiaries
• Claire's Kitchen
• Avril's Country Kitchen
• Alchemy Glass

More producers can be seen on the Made in Monmouthshire website: http://www.mim.adventa.org.uk/

The Made in Monmouthshire food demonstrations have been funded by adventa to raise awareness of local food production. It has been an educational opportunity for producers to share their passion and show the provenance of the food that they produce.

The Made in Monmouthshire initiative is supported by adventa, Monmouthshire's LEADER+ programme, existing to help rural communities improve their quality of life and economic prosperity. It works to strengthen local community partnerships, promote sustainable tourism and support local food producers, artists and craftsmen and the use of local timber. adventa is funded through EAGGF, the Welsh Assembly Government and Monmouthshire County Council.

1,993,000 tourists visited Monmouthshire in 2007 (an increase of 3000 from 2006).  In Monmouthshire there are 2,593 full-time jobs in the tourism industry.