Food & Drink
Published: June 5, 2023 | Updated: 5th June 2023
Building connections between Hampshire’s rich tapestry of food and drink producers.
That’s what it’s all about for Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager of Hampshire Fare.
Hampshire Fare is a not-for-profit community interest company which was formed in 1991 to support local farmers.
Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager of Hampshire Fare CIC
“We have the same core values as when we started, that being to support local food and drink producers, but what started as three farmers getting together has now reached nearly 400 members.
“Our members come from all parts of the sector, from production to sale. The festival is a great opportunity for these people to meet and connect.
“What really makes this job worth it for me is when you introduce two people and it really works.
“We’ve created a community so businesses don’t feel alone. SMEs are the backbone of a location’s economy, but it’s hard work running a business, and they’re often overlooked and underestimated.
“Giving them the opportunity to talk, even if it’s only for two or three minutes, is really valuable.”
One of the ways Hampshire Fare accomplishes this is through the Hampshire Food Festival.
Across the summer, Tracy and her team will help to promote, and sometimes organise, more than 200 events across all four corners of Hampshire.
These events offer businesses in Hampshire’s food and drink industry the chance to reach new customers, whether they be consumers or other businesses.
“It started out as a weekend event to encourage members to open their doors, then it gradually grew from a week, to a fortnight, to a month. This year is the first time it will be across two months.”
Returning for the second year since the disruption of 2020, before the pandemic the food festival attracted around 250,000 people to the county.
QUOB Park rolled out the red carpet for guests to the launch of the 21st Hampshire Food Festival.
It kicked off by rolling out the red carpet at QUOB Park in Fareham.
This event saw 27 of Hampshire Fare’s members along with supporters and friends of the organisation bought together, and was a great example of the exact ethos Tracy is so passionate about.
Wandering through the marquee, conversations buzzed between different members of Hampshire’s food and drink sector, with owners of restaurants and hotels getting the chance to meet and sample produce.
The Cows at Dandys Ford Dairy keep their calves, with the team milking them by hand.
Some of Hampshire’s best produce was on display, including cheeses, strawberries, shortbread, milk, hot sauce, gins, rums, wines and coffee.
Welcoming attendees Tracy spoke about the summer of events and the ethos behind them, explaining that if they can convince people to use local produce, even for a month, they’ll see the value in it, as well as thanking Hampshire Fare’s supporters.
Opening the event, Cllr Rob Humby, leader of Hampshire County Council spoke about the importance of Hampshire’s rural communities to the success of the county, with food and drink a big part of that.
Guests were also given the chance to win an ultimate Hampshire hamper by guessing the number of sparkly tiles on a giant hare, with all proceeds going to Hampshire Fare’s charity partner for the festival: The Murray Parish Trust.
The trust’s founders, Sarah Parish and James Murray spoke about the work the trust does and Rob Terry, founder, chairman and CEO of QUOB Park Estate and Hotel, pledged to donate a matching amount of money to the trust for each Hampshire Fare member who signed up for membership to QUOB.
Charles Ramseyer, Director of SoCal BBQ Shop, the festival’s headline sponsor drew a connection between the ability of barbeque to bring people together and the festival, with attendees fittingly treated to barbeque food prepared by SoCal.
Across July and August a variety of different events will be held, including tours of farms such as The New Forest Fruit Company and a number of festivals in different locations across the county.
“We really want to encourage people to get out and explore Hampshire through its food and drink,” Tracy told Hampshire Biz News.
“We want more people to come and to stay longer while they’re here. The events offer visitors a reason to extend their stay by an extra day or two.
“People are watching their money at the moment, but some of the events are completely free such as Winchester Food Festival, which is being held for the first time.
“With events in all four corners of the county, it’s a great opportunity to explore things you didn’t know about where you live.”
The full festival schedule can be found on Hampshire Fare’s website.
QUOB Park provided canopies and their own sparkling wine on arrival, while Mavrik Drinks provided a non-alcoholic option.
