Food & Drink
Published: March 7, 2024 | Updated: 7th March 2024
Steve Thompson MBE, England rugby legend and director of Gosport’s Power Monkey Brewing Co, joined big names from Hampshire’s food and drink scene last week.
They’d all gathered for the launch of Hampshire Fare’s Local Produce Guide 2024, featuring more than 350 businesses from across the region.
Steve said: “Being involved with Powder Monkey and seeing it develop has been great for me.
“As someone who loves food and cooking, the importance of supporting local producers is paramount.
“Wherever possible I use local produce, knowing the quality will be excellent.”
As well as breweries, this year’s guide includes everything from bakeries, beekeepers and chocolatiers to farm shops, farmers’ markets, pubs, restaurants and vineyards.
Natasha Dochniak, commercial manager of Hampshire Fare, added: “Our two counties here on the South Coast have a temperate climate and diverse growing conditions from varied landscapes – coast, countryside, chalk rivers, rolling downlands, heaths and ancient forests.
“That means our local larder is rich.
“We have fabulous seasonal produce that the region is renowned for – strawberries, chalk stream trout, watercress, crab, lamb, fish and pannage pork from the New Forest.
“Then it’s our amazing and talented producers and chefs who create products from that larder and bring them to our communities through farm shops, local high streets, farmers’ markets, pubs, cafes, restaurants and online.
“Local food is usually seasonal and fresh. It’s often produced by small businesses who are passionate about their products, their customers and their communities.
“It’s also travelled less – and fewer food miles means a more sustainable, environmentally friendly food and drink scene, which in turn supports a thriving local economy.
“It’s definitely something to be celebrated, and this guide does just that.”
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