Tweets by Feast2Semlep The Food & Drink Forum has secured funding to offer a range of useful services to food and drink manufacturers until March 2023, including; grant funding, business mentoring, industry events, technical support and technical apprentices. The Mallows Company are delivering this in the South Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership area.

Our work with you starts with a diagnostic appointment (which can be done on the telephone or via zoom) and completion of appropriate paperwork.

Grant Funding

Grant funding for eligible food and drink manufacturing businesses looking to purchase new equipment to help them grow and create jobs.

Minimum spend = £4,000 / Maximum Spend = £80,000

This can be a contribution towards a larger grant spend, with the largest grant will be 25% of £80,000

Please note that grants need formal approval prior to purchasing any equipment.

Technical Support

Eligible businesses could receive up to two days of support at no cost from the Food & Drink Forum’s technical team. These industry experts could assist with all technical issues such as; shelf life extension, labelling, nutritional advice, factory layout, product development, food standards and implementation, accreditation support, food safety and much more.

Business Mentoring

Eligible businesses will have access to industry experts, fully subsidised, to receive mentoring in any aspect of business. Our mentors have a wealth of experience in running food and drink manufacturing businesses at specific business skills and are keen to share their knowledge with you.

Technical Apprentices

Throughout the course of the project the Food & Drink Forum will employ a number of technical apprentices to help businesses bridge the skills gap in the sector. The apprentices will receive training from the Forum’s team of technical experts and will gain hands on experience undertaking work placements. Food & Drink Forum apprentices will be available to enter any business on placement at no cost to the business.

Industry Events

We will run a number of industry-specific events throughout the course of the project, bringing like-minded businesses together to share knowledge, best practice and experience.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible to access services through the FEAST2 project, business must be:

• A food and drink manufacturer

• Based in SEMLEP Areas

• An SME Business (Small / Medium Enterprise) – This only applies for accessing grant funding

• Working primarily in the Business to Business arena (not business to consumer)

Eligible SEMLEP areas include:

• North Northamptonshire

• West Northamptonshire

• Bedford Borough

• Central Bedfordshire

• Milton Keynes

To access any of the above services or for further information on the FEAST2 project, please call us on 01933 664437 or email amanda@themallowscompany.com

The FEAST2 project is receiving up to £3.5million of funding from the European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014 – 2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for the European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.

For more information visit: www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding