Northumbria larder members will have even more opportunities to sell their produce and
develop new markets in 2005.

This year's list of events and exhibitions, which is displayed in full on this web site, provides North East food and drink producers with a wide range of platforms where they can demonstrate the quality and variety of their output.

The regional food and drink group represents businesses of varying sizes and ambitions and it aims to try and satisfy the needs of all its membership. It is not an easy task. Some producers are happy to sell their produce locally or regionally. Not for them the lure of national or even international markets. But there is an increasing number of members who feel they are in a position, or want to be in a position, to take on the world. It is not the job of Northumbria Larder to discourage businesses led by dynamic people who want to try their luck beyond the boundaries of the North East or to develop links with supermarket groups. On the contrary. Northumbria larder will provide them with all the marketing information and practical support it can. The food group will continue to be represented at significant local and regional events in 2005. And there are some new and exciting occasions to look forward to. These include the Tall Ships' Food Festival at Gateshead and Newcastle Quayside in July and an Alnwick Northumbria Food Festival in September. In addition, the Regional food and drink group will continue to show the flag at Hadrian Wall's Trade Fair, Northumberland County Show, Durham Agricultural Show, and Hadrian's Wall Food and Craft Festival. These are popular events in the North East social calendar, attracting growing crowds of people prepared to spend freely on quality food and drink. Northumbria Larder will be taking part in over 20 events and exhibitions this coming year to provide a diversity of opportunity for members, small and large. We wish them all a prosperous 2005.

SANDY DUNCAN, NORTHUMBRIA LARDER.