I am very proud to be able to welcome Northumberland County Council’s ‘Produced in Northumberland’ team to the Houses of Parliament next month, as part of an event to showcase the county and promote Northumberland’s food and drink sector, which is such an important part of our economic growth and prosperity. ‘Produced in Northumberland’ is a scheme which verifies that food and drink is produced in Northumberland, with audits carried out by Trading Standards and Environmental Health staff. The scheme is going from strength to strength, with around eighty businesses signed up and another forty interested or awaiting verification. Businesses include the Artisan Bread Company, Brocksbushes Farm Shop, the Northumberland Cheese Company and the Northumberland Spirit Company. It is hoped that the scheme will raise the profile of Northumberland food and drink and therefore increase the local economy.
We all know about the fantastic quality of food and drink that is produced in Northumberland, and I look forward to next month and showing that food ‘Produced in Northumberland’ really is best.
