The Co-operative’s royal assent for food seminar

The Co-operative Group is joining forces with HRH The Countess of Wessex to stage a seminar for local farmers, food producers and suppliers at the Royal Bath and West Show.

It is one of a series of events at the show to build stronger links between farmers and food retailers, and will include presentations as well as a question and answer session.

The Co-operative Farms, the UK’s largest farming business and part of The Co-operative Group, will attend to give insights into how farmers, producers and suppliers can best market their products, and how a co-operative model can help.

The seminar will be introduced by The Countess of Wessex, President of the Royal Bath and West Show, and will feature Peter Marks, Group Chief Executive of The Co-operative Group. It is one of three such events at this year’s Show, in conjunction with food retailers.

Peter Marks said: “The Royal Bath and West Show is an ideal arena to create a useful dialogue between The Co-operative Group and farmers, producers and suppliers. These innovative events are a great opportunity to improve cohesion in the food chain, so we can all work well together.”

Dr Jane Guise, the Royal Bath and West Show’s CEO, said: “As the demand for locally sourced produce continues to grow and local food sales across the country remain strong, the need for better cohesion between farmers and retailers cannot be ignored. We are looking forward to holding the seminars at the Royal Bath and West Show, to address the challenges that both sides face, so they can work towards a more sustainable future.”

The Co-operative Group’s seminar is at 3pm on Thursday, 3 June, in the Bath and West Theatre at the Showground near Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

Tickets are free, and people interested in attending should contact Christine Elliott,  either by email to christine.elliott@bathandwest.com or by phone 07771 373069.