Meet the Producer

Our amazing Outer Hebrides food and drink producers were given an opportunity to give an insight into their businesses, showcasing their history, experiences, how their produce is made/grown/reared and why they take such pride in it, at an events in spring 2023 (Lewis and Harris). A similar event will took place in autumn 2023 (Uist and Barra) and one will take place in Srping 2024 in Barra.

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Outer Hebrides Meet the Producer Food and Drink Tour 

Sourcing Scotland Regional Event - Barra

Outer Hebrides Tourism/Eat Drink Hebrides are delighted to give you the opportunity to apply for and take part in our Meet the Producer Tour of Barra and Vatersay. 

An opportunity to network with local producers and food and drink professionals with the aim of building business-to-business links, local supply chains and promoting the best of what the incredible Outer Hebrides larder has to offer.  

Our amazing Barra and Vatersay based food and drink producers will give you insight into their businesses, showcase their history, experiences, demonstrate how their produce is made/grown/reared and explain why they take such pride in it.

Where: Barra and Vatersay

When: 17^th April (all day) /18^th April a.m.

For further details please see attachment and application form. 

Please return your application by email to: julie@outerhebridestourism.org

by close of play 19^th February 2024

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A very successful  Meet the Producers Day in Lewis and Harris

The Outer Hebrides Meet the Producer Day brought together food and drink producers with buyers, tourism and hospitality professionals this week.
 
Food and drink businesses from across the Outer Hebrides hosted a travelling party of food and drink buyers and tourism and hospitality professionals as part of a food and drink tour organised by Eat Drink Hebrides and supported by Scotland Food & Drink (SF&D).
 
Designed to build relationships with buyers, introduce them to new products, secure future business and to promote collaboration, the tour is one of a number of Sourcing Scotland events across the country.
 
The group experienced ‘Food with a View’ at its very best, tasting just some of what Lewis and Harris has to offer in terms of locally produced award-winning artisan foods and drinks. Businesses included those specialising in: Charcuterie, Stornoway Black Pudding, Spring Water, Smoked Salmon, Chocolate, Beer and Island Gin.
 
The day rounded off with a showcase local produce dinner at Harbour Kitchen with whisky pairing from The Island Spirit Whisky Shop.
 
The Outer Hebrides, with a strong history of traditional crofting and fishing, has an abundance of local produce and this will be further explored in the autumn when a similar showcasing event is planned for Uist and Barra.
 
The local Meet the Producer event is part of a Sourcing Scotland programme bringing together suppliers with buyers from retail, wholesale, and foodservice to help grow the sales of Scottish products across the country. 
   
Over the past couple of years, consumers have grown increasingly aware of where their food and drink is coming from, and buyers need to meet the demand for locally produced products. Local events play an important role in bringing producers and buyers together to build relationships and create sales and these events are designed to facilitate those conversations.
 
The quality of fresh local produce we have here in the islands is one of our best assets and through Eat Drink Hebrides we are seeking to support our food and drink members to grow, develop and gain confidence in what they do. 

Find out more about the Lewis and Harris trip from the Tartan Spoon Blogger here.

Link to images from the day:  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jd1jxj3fgl4ne8o/AAD94kPakXPpb4-YUrUu5O5Ma?dl=0 

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