Food and drink in the South West

The food and drink sector is of vital importance to the South West, employing nearly 250,000 people and its businesses contribute 8% of all economic output. Food and drink is the largest manufacturing sector, largest retailing sector and a key tourist attraction, accounting for one third of visitor spending.

Food and Drink Champions South West was a campaign to celebrate the very best produce from the South West, a region world-famous for the quality, purity and diversity of its food and drink. As well as promoting the stories of some of our most successful and innovative food and drink producers, the campaign highlighted best practice within the sector and produced a handbook with tips for success. Click here to find out more

The campaign had a special resonance in the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, when the eyes of the world were focused on the UK. With so many of the region's producers demonstrating a total commitment to excellence and a determination to produce the ultimate in quality, it was easy to draw parallels between their values and those of the year’s star events.

South West Food & Drink (SWFD) works with the sector to help it do better business and in turn generate more jobs and build a stronger local economy.

Taste of the West is the regional food and drink trade organisation for the South West of England. As a membership organisation Taste of the West works to develop the region’s exceptional regional food and drink industry.