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 The food and drink sector is one of the key employment areas in Somerset and has been identified as a regional priority.
The Food Sector Support Service provided by Somerset Food Links has worked with primary producers to help them better develop and market local food and is also looking to increase public awareness of local food and its contribution to the economy, community and environment of the county. The overall aim is to increase demand from the public for locally produced food and drink.
 In the current economic climate many agricultural businesses are faced with the option of restructuring and diversifying or cease trading as a viable business. For the farming and land based sector the Rural Renaissance Programme has supported the further development of the specialist advice service hosted by the District Councils, known as the Somerset Rural Business Support Service. Over the two years it has been operating this will have provided advice and guidance to up to 500 businesses.
Rural Renaissance has also funded a Feasibility study into the establishment of AONB Foodpaths in the three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty within the County. The aim of the project was to assess the opportunities to develop and market a network of establishments (farms, private homes, quality graded B&B’s and produce outlets) providing rural gastronomic and on farm experiences, to be accessible on foot, by bicycle, and on horseback as well as by car, raising the profile of the 3 areas as outstanding living landscapes with thriving communities.
Also focused on food, but delivered so as to assist a specific market town, the Wellington Food Town initiative implements a local Community Plan with emphasis on a ‘local food and produce’-based regeneration strategy. The strategy aims to bring about a revitalisation of the town centre, a revival of its economy; and connecting and strengthening links between all elements of the food supply chain.
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