New West of England Food and Drink Support Scheme Launched!

Exciting news for food and drink producers, manufacturers, hospitality, and food service businesses! The West of England Food and Drink Support Scheme (WoEFDSI) is now live and ready to help you start, grow and thrive. This comprehensive programme, delivered by the specialist team at The Food Works offers a wealth of technical guidance, business support, themed events, workshops, and support to prepare your business for food certification -all FREE of charge!

The Food Works, is a regional food and drink innovation centre, based in Weston-super-Mare, with an in-house technical and business support team, product development kitchens, lounge and meeting rooms.

What’s on Offer:

Technical and Product Development Support:

• Food Safety Plans for HACCP
• Shelf-life advice
• Nutritional and Labelling Advice
• Equipment and Process Layout Advice
• Costing Reviews
• Recipe Development and Reformulation
• Scaling-Up Effectively

Kitchen and Product Development:

• Up to 2 days of hands-on support from The Food Works technical team to transform your initial idea into a safe, market-ready product.
• The support will be provided at The Food Works and in selected community kitchen locations across the West of England to ensure the support is as inclusive and accessible as possible.

Sector-Specific Events and Workshops:

• Events and workshop will cover a variety of food and drink-related topics, delivered both online and in-person to maximise networking and learning opportunities.
• Special focus on preparing to meet buyers and getting your product noticed.

Food Certification Support:

• Guidance to set up systems that meet certification requirements.
• Support to achieve SALSA certification (Safe And Local Supplier Approval), helping you get listed with larger wholesalers and retailers.
• Flexible delivery, either remotely or onsite, based on your business support needs.

Why should you apply?

• Fully Funded: No cost to you!
• Access to kitchens across the West of England is included
• Expert Guidance: From initial idea to market-ready product.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry experts and peers.
• Certification Support: Get your products certified and ready for larger markets.

Who Can Apply?

• Start-up, micro, small, and medium-sized food and drink producers, hospitality and food service businesses based in North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire. Businesses outside these areas can still access support through The Food Works commercial technical programme and hire the product development kitchens at affordable rates.

Get In Touch!

• Email: enquiries@foodworks-sw.co.uk
• Phone: 01934 287710
• Web: foodworks-sw.co.uk

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Register your interest and apply here.