Forum on future of West Coast’s Food and Beverage Industry

Media release – 8 March 2012

Forum to discuss future direction of West Coast’s Food and Beverage industry

Local food and beverage growers and producers are being encouraged to explore positioning their produce as uniquely “West Coast”.

Recent research into the West Coast food industry, commissioned by Development West Coast, has found there is a great opportunity for West Coast producers to enhance their returns by collaborating and leveraging off the unique features of the region.

“Consumers are willing to pay for produce which has been grown in areas of outstanding natural beauty with minimal impact on the environment and which enhance local communities. These are exactly the features the West Coast has plenty of,” says Director of Lincoln University’s Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit, Dr Caroline Saunders.

Dr Saunders research and other issues affecting the industry, including how to make the most of opportunities to work with other South Island regions, will be discussed at two Food and Beverage Forum’s to be held in Greymouth and Westport later this month.

Building on the previous forums that have concentrated on the viability of the West Coast horticulture industry, DWC’s Business Development Manager Helen Wilson says all growers, producers, sellers and distributors of food are encouraged to attend this one.

“The two Lincoln reports basically have messages for the whole West Coast region in terms of emerging opportunities in food growth and production that we just cannot afford to overlook. We need to make the most of the Coast’s value and impact, both internationally and nationally,” she says.

The forum will also include an address by NZ Food and Innovation Network’s business development manager Matthew Muir.

“The vision is to assist South Island food processing businesses to grow through developing new products and new markets. This will be achieved by using local networks and resources available in the greater South Island region,” says Mr Muir.

The West Coast Food and Beverage Forum will be held from 2pm to 5pm on 15 March in Greymouth and 2pm to 5pm on 16 March in Westport. To register contact sam@dwc.org.nz or 03 768 0140 or for more information contact Helen Wilson helen@dwc.org.nz

ENDS

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