ONE of the premier foodie destinations on the outskirts of Chester will be hosting a celebration of Welsh food next week as more food lovers seek out Welsh produce.

On February 25 Welsh producers will be setting up stall at the award-winning retailer, The Hollies Farm Shop in Little Budworth, near Delamere Forest.

There, they will provide food lovers in the locality with a new range of food from just across the border.

The showcase is being organised by Destination North West – a Welsh Government Food & Drink Wales Fine Food Cluster project to expand the reach and awareness of Welsh produce and explore new market opportunities in North West England.

The Hollies Farm Shop event is part of the Welsh Government Food & Drink Wales Trade Development Programme’s #CaruCymruCaruBlas #LoveWalesLoveTaste campaign which includes a variety of consumer and trade events.

Also, as part of the #CaruCymruCaruBlas #LoveWalesLoveTaste campaign, retailers in North West England who stock Welsh food and drink products will be able to join in and download a digital toolkit to help them highlight and celebrate their Welsh products on St David’s Day      https://businesswales.gov.wales/foodanddrink/lovewaleslovetaste-0

The event at The Hollies will feature seven award-winning, proudly Welsh food businesses presenting locally and globally-influenced products as diverse as African and Spanish-inspired sauces, and charcuterie.   

The featured producers are members of the Fine Food Cluster – some of which are just a short drive away from The Hollies Farm Shop.

The Fine Food Cluster is facilitated by Cywain, a Menter a Busness project that works with food and drink producers across Wales, helping them grow and develop their business, with support in a range of areas, including test trading, marketing, brand development, and finance.

Jayne Jones, Fine Food Cluster manager, said, “We are thrilled not only to be returning to The Hollies Farm Shop but by public demand to be coming back bigger and better!

“Last year’s response from customers bowled us over. It was amazing how many people who visited The Hollies had connections with Wales and a passion for wanting to try new and exciting products." 

The Hollies Farm Shop’s marketing manager, Sarah Holland, said: “We are excited to introduce some more Welsh food produce to our customers during our meet the maker farmer’s market on the 25th February.

"The sampling event will be a great opportunity to showcase these products, and gain customer feedback to help us decide what will work well within our stores."