Hampshire Fare Trade Information

Hampshire Fare is one of the UK’s most active and successful food groups. It is supported by Hampshire County Council, the South East England Development Agency and many other public and private sector organisations.

Hampshire Fare provides a professional support service to Hampshire-based businesses which are involved in producing, growing, rearing or selling food, drink and craft and is the first port of call for enquiries from trade, media and public about Hampshire produce. Established for over 16 years, Hampshire Fare’s key aims are to;

• Connect consumers with farming through local food and help secure the future of farming in Hampshire.

• Encourage the development of sustainable food, drink and craft businesses that contribute to the rural economy in Hampshire

• Raise awareness among the public and trade of the wide range of Hampshire food, drink and craft

• Foster good business practice and assist producers to compete as viable enterprises

• Champion optimum quality production methods and high standards of presentation

• Organise marketing activities - festivals, exhibitions and promotions - to promote Hampshire produce

• Promote the use of local food and drink by Hampshire public sector organisations

More and more people are recognising the work and achievements of Hampshire Fare and want to get involved or show their support by becoming a member of Hampshire Fare.

There are many benefits to being a Member and our Membership categories have been tailored to meet the different needs of organisations and individuals.

Membership categories:
• Producer membership
• Hospitality and retail membership
• Trade supplier & services membership
• Corporate Friend
• Corporate Partner
• Friend of Hampshire Fare

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR APPLICATION PACK >
[This is a PDF file - 4 Mb]

Stacey Hedges, Hampshire Cheeses - cheese producer
"Hampshire Fare is an excellent marketing group which promotes our product both locally and nationally through regular PR. As a member of Hampshire Fare we have been promoted on local radio, in local and national newspapers and magazines. They have always sought to promote us to our core market group and have assisted us in having a clear market vision. Hampshire Fare has also encouraged Hampshire Cheeses to enter various national and local awards and thanks to them we have gone on to win both a local award and a national one too. (Best food producer in Hampshire - Hampshire Life Magazine, Waitrose Small Producers Award 2007)."

Sara Alden-Court, Love Local - delicatessen owner
"As a new start up business, registering with Hampshire Fare was the first step I took which really enabled me to identify & source our fantastic local products. Hampshire Fare is a great resource for advice, information and expertise. Above all it allowed me to make the contacts with other fellow members, sharing information and networking with like-minded people. Using the Hampshire Fare logo on all my publicity and advertising I feel has given my new business credibility and trust with the customers."

Richard Hodgson, The Isle of Wight Cheese Company Ltd - cheese producer
"Being based on the Island we are, at times, a bit cut off from the rest of the civilised world! Sometimes, that can be a good thing! But for business, we do need to be in touch with our fellow companies in Hampshire. Being a member of Hants Fare has enabled us to develop strong connections with other like-minded businesses. We have got to know other businesses in our field as well as generate contacts that have led to new customers for our cheese. Being a member of Hants Fare also helped us qualify for an increased bursary from SEEDA/SEFGP for our training. The team at Hampshire Fare have shown a great passion to help promote products and services from its members. I regularly look forward to the Fortnightly Fare email where I get all my news. All in all, extremely worthwhile and worth the membership fee ten times over!!"

Dean Marshall, Country Market - farm and food centre
"I look at Hampshire Fare as being the eyes, ears & voice for producers in Hampshire. If you are looking to source products from the County, this is your one stop shop. We are very lucky to have such a pro-active organisation working on our behalf and that of the county. For us as retailers, it has helped us source more local products - but we know that there are many more waiting to be discovered! As producers, it has also helped customers identify us in the same way. Events such as The Hampshire Food Festival highlight this."

Jennifer Laing, Cresson Creative - caterer
"Cresson Creative would not be the successful business it is today if I had not been a member of Hampshire Fare. Not only very supportive in any initiative I wanted to participate in but also able to point the business in the right direction when it comes to obstacles like legal requirements and labelling. If you want your business to grow then being a member of Hampshire Fare has to be the first step to take."

Ian Nelson, Sunnyfields - organic farmer
"I have been a member of Hampshire Fare for many years and year-on-year I feel as though being a member is more important to our business. Hampshire Fare is growing every year and keeping a pace with all the local and regional food agendas. Most county newspapers and magazines seem to promote Hampshire producers and produce with most of this publicity being generated from within Hampshire Fare. If you are not a member all I can say is: you will not be disappointed!"

Anna Brock, Anna's Kitchen - ready meal producer
"I really enjoy being a member, you have helped me with anything from 'where to start with barcodes' 'to meeting a buyer from Harrods'! When I first started up in business it was a great help to meet other businesses in the same boat as me. Hampshire Fare offered the contact details. Every small food business should be a member!"