Select Lincolnshire Forum Notes March 2018

Select Lincolnshire Members Meeting

Commerce House, Lincoln

27^th March 2018

Notes

Attendees:

Gemma Sisson                                  Lymn Bank Cheese

Jack Green                                          Dunholme Chillies

Nikki Cotton-Winfield                    Belton Woods Hotel

Jayne Robinson                                 Bishop Grosseteste University

Robin Dennett                                  Dennetts Ice Cream

Sherry Forbes                                    Manor House Stables

Laura Fisher                                        R W Stokes

Angela Stewart                                 Ideal Links

Judy Lyon                                            Lincolnshire Co-op

Susie Carlisle                                      Lincoln Tea & Coffee Company

Matthew Thompson                       National Centre of Food Manufacture

                                                                University of Lincoln

Simon Hoare                                      ACTS Trust

Rev Canon Alan Robson                 Lincolnshire Agricultural Chaplain

                                                                01522 681655

Apologies:

Barbara Daughtrey                          A Little Luxury

John Cousins                                      Ferry Ales Brewery

Mark Barratt                                      Impact

                Agenda Items Discussed:

Matthew Thompson from University of Lincoln- National Centre of Food Manufacture

Matthew updated the opportunities available through him and his department for SME businesses

The NCFM were to hold a Food crime Unite event.

Topics under discussion were Integrity of food and Agri food chain.

NCFM can help with shelf life testing and welcome enquiries.

Matthew said that despite the challenges of Brexit there were still many opportunities for innovation to support business through robotic innovation to support seasonal staff shortage, training and skills in machine operation, supporting those businesses who are new to the market place.

They can also support businesses in areas such as:

• Sustainability
• Supply chain
• Logistics
• Networking
• Referrals to other support

Matthew works closely with Val Braybrook and the Business School and can be a source of staffing with regard to Knowledge Transfer Partnerships or internships.

Jayne Robinson Bishop Grosseteste University

Jayne said that there is additional business support with access to training needs analysis and both NCFM and Bishop Grosseteste can work with SME’s to access funding and training support.

Judy Lyon Lincolnshire Co-op

Lincolnshire Co-op works closely with many Select Lincolnshire members including Ideal Lincs.  They work on the chilled route to market with over 43 local suppliers and 180 products.

They offer free support to businesses for BRC and SALSA accreditation

https://www.brcglobalstandards.com/

https://www.salsafood.co.uk/

Lincolnshire Co-op can also support web site marketing, labels and marketing in general.  They hold regular events for networking and invite support industry partners such as Environmental Health.

Angela Stewart Ideal Lincs

Ideal Lincs works closely with Lincolnshire Co-op and supports wider distribution of local Lincolnshire products.

Angela worked previously in distribution at Lincolnshire Co-op and already has a great deal of knowledge about supply chain in Lincolnshire.  Her Business Development role means she will be out and about encouraging restaurants, cafes and garden centres to use their services.  She will also be working towards growing the distribution to Nottinghamshire and wider.

Two recent additions to the Co-op product is Enderby’s Fish and Boston Sausage

Ideal Lincs also offer a courier service for local producers and can support chilled and ambient product distribution.

Simon Hoare ACTS Trust & Rev Canon Alan Robson  – Lincoln Food Partnership

Many people and groups have come together to form Lincoln Food Partnership.  The first meeting took place in Autumn 2017.

The group are concerned with many areas and the main outcome of the initial meeting is that all parties are working together towards a more joined up and sustainable approach to dealing with among other things food poverty.

Some of the topics covered were:

• Food poverty
• Food surplus
• Food banks
• Community Cafes, kitchens, hubs
• Advice courses, centre of education
• Social responsibility
• Sustainable food City
• Funding bids for support
• Logistics

The full presentation can be seen by downloading the pdf from this link.

Further information from

Simon Hoare simon@alivechurch.org.uk

Mary Hollis Chief Executive of Green Synergy -  mary@greensynergy.org.uk.

Select Lincolnshire Awards

These will be announced for opening and sponsors soon.  It was reported that the application process was too onerous and the format prohibitive to members who are extremely busy but are equally proud of their achievements and would like the opportunity to enter.

The application process and requirements will be reviewed prior to applications being opened for 2018.

Follow all updates on the following lInk

https://www.lincs-chamber.co.uk/select-lincolnshire-awards

Additional comments- requests

Some members have expressed an interest in receiving some concise top tips about GDPR.

Other members would welcome an opportunity to work on a collaborative Food and drink expo.  This is being explored buy the Business development team at Lincolnshire Chamber.

Next Meeting

6^th June Stokes at The Lawns Lincoln 10.30am – 12.30 am