Co-op Midcounties on the hunt for Gloucestershire's next big food & drink businesses

Food and drink producers from across Gloucestershire are being encouraged to apply for the chance to secure a £10,000 cash injection and listing in stores throughout the county.

Co-op Midcounties is inviting budding entrepreneurs to the official launch of its Food Glorious Food campaign on Wednesday 28th November at Hartpury College between 5.30pm and 7.30pm

Representatives from Co-op Midcounties will provide further detail on how to enter the ‘Dragons Den’ style competition, which will see local producers pitch their ideas to a panel of industry experts.

The winning idea will join Midcounties Best of our Counties range of locally sourced food and drink products in its 52 Gloucestershire stores.

The successful applicant will also receive mentoring from the competition judges, business development support from Co-op Midcounties and assistance with a full marketing launch campaign.

Runners up will secure shelf space in selected Co-op food stores and entry onto a one day business skills seminar at Hartpury Collage.

As part of the event attendees will get the chance to meet other successful entrepreneurs, sample locally produced food and drink and access advice from peer to peer lending specialist FOLK2FOLK on how best to finance their ideas.

Representatives from the National Farmers Union, The Growth Hub, Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and food traceability app Happerley will also be on hand to offer support and advice.

Phil Ponsonby, CEO Co-op Midcounties, said: “As part of our commitment to promoting and supporting locally produced food & drink we are always on the lookout for exciting, innovative new ideas. We hope our Food Glorious Food initiative will encourage the most creative Gloucestershire business minds to come forward.

“The launch event will be the first step in our support programme, giving a range of local businesses and individuals the chance to speak to leading figures in the industry and find out more about how we can help them turn their innovative food and drink ideas into a reality on our shop shelves.”

Those interested in attending the launch event can register their details at www.bestofourcounties.coop/register.