The Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme has opened for applications for projects taking place between 2 May 2014 to 31 March 2015.
The Programme, which is funded by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, provides financial support for initiatives which raise the profile of quality regional food and it encourages collaboration between members of the local agri-food supply chain.
The high quality of local produce, as recently endorsed through successful achievements of local companies at the Great Taste Awards, is promoted through the Programme which helps to deliver the quality food message to thousands of people each year, both here and further afield.
Since its inception in 2007, the Programme has assisted the formation and development of many well known food promotion initiatives such as; the Food Pavilion at Balmoral Show, Open Farm Weekend, the Ards Borough Council Potato Festival, the food element of the LegenDerry Festival and the promotion of local produce at last year’s World Police and Fire Games.
The aim of the Programme is to promote quality regional food and to help increase its consumption by provision of financial support in four key areas namely: Regional fairs/shows, information programmes, award ceremonies, and seminars/workshops.
Scheme rules mean that only not-for-profit agri-food groups representative of producers and/or processors who have local membership, registered charities or regional development agencies can apply. Applications are particularly welcome for collaborative ventures involving two or more of these organisations working together to deliver the objectives of the Programme.
Closing date for completed applications will be 12 noon on Friday 18 April 2014. An application form for funding can be downloaded from http://www.dardni.gov.uk/northern-ireland-regional-food-programme or obtained from the contact details below: