Food and Drink North East has agreed a ‘significant collaboration’ with national trade organisation, the Food and Drink Federation, that will benefit local food and drink businesses in the North East
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the convenor, adviser and voice of the UK food and drink industry, the largest manufacturing sector in the country. As a powerful unified voice for the industry, FDF represents more than 900 food and drink companies, from global brands to thriving small businesses, and acts on its members’ behalf on the business-critical issues of the day; communicating the industry’s values and concerns to government, regulators, consumers and the media.
Now, food and drink businesses within the North East can access FDF expertise, guidance and resources through an important strategic partnership between the FDF and Food and Drink North East as part of the FADNE Community — a new, engaged membership network where business owners, thought leaders and sector specialists across the North East can connect and collaborate with others across the region’s food, drink and hospitality industry.
This partnership will allow members of FADNE’s Community to be kept well informed of national issues within the sector. Chris Jewitt, founder and director of FADNE says, “This is a very significant collaboration for FADNE and a real statement of intent to our network. A UK institution and highly respected trade organisation, the FDF has real credibility across public and private sectors, government and industry.
“From Brexit to international trade, legislation, lobbying and food policy, our partnership is huge in terms of added value to our membership and will give us the national voice that the region’s food and drink industry requires.”
Ian Wright, Chief Executive of the FDF, has worked closely with Food and Drink North East (FADNE) this year as an expert speaker for its Speaking From Experience workshops, which launched in January 2021 as a resource of focused training and expertise sessions aimed at helping North East food and drink businesses bounce back from the effects of COVID-19.
“I am delighted to welcome Food and Drink North East (FADNE) to the FDF’s membership. Our partnership will strengthen our collaboration, increase opportunities and bolster the support we can provide to food and drink businesses at a crucial time. I look forward to working closely with the team at FADNE.”
To find out more about the FADNE partnership with FDF, and how you can join the FADNE Community, please visit: https://www.fadne.org/join-our-community/fdf-partnership