Farm Business Innovation Show 2018 in the NEC, Birmingham

Thank you to everyone who came to see us at the Farm Business Innovation show on 7th & 8th Nov, at the NEC Birmingham.

The Food Centre Wales team were on the Food Innovation Wales stand to offer advice and support to businesses looking to diversify into food and drink manufacturing.   Internationally recognised experts at Food Innovation Wales provide support in all areas of technical expertise from new product development, food safety plans to product packaging and manufacturing facilities.  The team support new start-ups through to established companies and entrepreneurs throughout Wales and the UK.

Now in its sixth year, The Farm Business Innovation Show has established itself in the calendar as the event for innovative farmers, landowners and rural entrepreneurs who seek guidance and opportunities to help them diversify and increase their income.  The two days were very successful on the Food Innovation wales stand and there is a continued interest in adding value to farm produce, particularly in Wales.

The Farm Business Innovation Show brings together top industry experts - Arwyn Davies, Business Development Manager at Food Centre Wales said, “We’re proud of our team of internationally recognised food industry experts, available to help you find your way through a complex range of food disciplines and regulation, covering nutrition and dietetics, environmental health, new product development, factory and workplace design, quality assurance, hygiene, food safety, marketing and efficiency.

“Whatever your interest in the food and drink industry - whether you supply it or make it, run a food company, work in a big multinational, or are taking your first tentative steps to set up a food micro business - we want to help.”

The food and drink industry is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, contributing £28.8bn to the economy each year.

Angela Sawyer, Senior Food Technologist at Food Centre Wales led a seminar on both days on ‘Farm diversification into food processing – exploring opportunities and avoiding pitfalls’. The seminar covered the key points to consider before launching a new business in the food sector and where to find support.  With every seat taken and the interesting Q&A afterwards, this certainly highlighted the continued interest in farmers and land owners looking at diversify into food processing!