Speciality & Fine Food Fair, the trade event for fine food & drink producers, has announced that it will be showcasing sustainable products and brands in a dedicated Sustainability Zone at its September 2021 edition.
The new Sustainability Zone will provide a platform for producers who can demonstrate a substantial commitment to operating in a sustainable way, whether through the sourcing of ingredients, the production and packaging of the product or the internal processes of the business. To ensure that the high standards of industry buyers are met, producers looking to join the Sustainability Zone will be required to complete an application process created in partnership with experts in sustainable business practices.
Event Manager Philippa Christer commented: “We’ve been thrilled by the enthusiasm and buy-in we’re already seeing from our producers. The past year has shone a light on environmental sustainability for a lot of consumers as topics such as food waste, ethical products & production and shopping local have been making headlines.
“This new addition to the Fair will give producers a chance to demonstrate their sustainability credentials in a live environment, while offering buyers the opportunity to explore the increasing diversity and innovation in this area of the market. Speciality & Fine Food Fair has always been about the excitement of discovery and now we’re able to connect buyers directly with truly inspiring sustainable brands.
“We’ve worked closely with our communities to ensure that the Sustainability Zone adds genuine value to the Fair, and we’d encourage anyone interested in learning more to get in touch ASAP as places are limited and demand is high!”
Whirly Marshall, Co-Owner of Blackthorn Sea Salt, discussed the decision be part of the Sustainability Zone at the 2021 event, saying: “Every day we look for more ways to lessen our environmental footprint and bear in mind our responsibilities to Ayrshire’s salt-making past and hopes for the future – we are always striving to improve and are particularly proud of our plastic-free wee box of Blackthorn.
“Speciality & Fine Food Fair is so well known; we are thrilled to have been given a place in its new Sustainability Zone – it matches our ethos and what is fundamental to our core at Blackthorn. We can’t wait to join that community of suppliers and buyers and believe that we may have the opportunity to forge relationships crucial to our future growth and success that we wouldn’t otherwise have had.”
Producer Wave Crooke, Operations Director at SeaGrown, added: “Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at SeaGrown. We are completely reliant on a healthy ocean, not only for our business but also for our climate and for vibrant coastal communities. SeaGrown is proud to be a sustainable business and we very much look forward to exhibiting in the Sustainability Zone with other like-minded producers at the Speciality & Fine Food Fair.”
