Since the ‘This is Cumbria’ initiative was envisioned several months ago, the dream is fast becoming reality with Cumbrian producers lining up to join the county’s showcase stand at next years Farm Shop & Deli Show.

Keith Jackson of Thomas Jardine & Co, one of the organisers of the initiative said “In the last couple of weeks, we have had lots of enquiries and several producers have booked stand space. We now only have a couple of small stands left”.

But now the initiative is calling on the region’s business community to step up and support them and the fast-growing artisan food & drink sector that they represent by joining the scheme as sponsors.

Keith spoke of some of the advantages of pledging support, saying “Sponsoring the ‘This is Cumbria’ space at the Farm Shop & Deli Show next year will not only put the sponsors name out there in front of the 30,000 trade buyers expected to attend over the 3 days, but it also offers powerful PR opportunities leading up to the show. We hope to achieve significant media exposure in the coming months and any sponsor has the chance to become part of this. We hope that the initiative is something that will grow year on year”

Maria Whitehead MBE of Hawkshead Relish further explained, “This is the sector’s leading event and it brings together over 450 exhibitors which attracts thousands of key buyers from the food and drink retail market. It’s not only a fantastic event for exhibitors though, it’s a super opportunity for sponsor partners to come and network, meet with potential clients and generate some great PR and digital exposure that is linked to this exciting and unique scheme”

The Farm Shop & Deli Show takes place at the NEC from 8-10^th April 2019. For more details on sponsorship packages for the event, please contact our ‘This is Cumbria’ project coordinators, Keith and Jacqui Jackson via email [email protected].