Food & Drink - Internet & Technology

Firstly, I think the RPDE programme is great and having browsed the kind of projects on this network site I do become enthused with what is possible and how we can all help.

I personally run a design company and live in Somerset just outside of the rural areas but have always wanted to run my business from a rural location. This is another story to cover at another time as it borders on the need and idea of business incubation for small rural businesses.

However, my discussion is about food and drink as this is one of my loves. I have over the past 18 months investigated the food and drink sector in Somerset and like other counties it’s a great place for just that.

But how the sector and small providers sell and market food and drink is less than effective. Of course I can give many reasons why and examples but what I would like to see is a food and drink cooperative for county but one that utilises today’s technology and design to maximise the selling and opportunities.

Selling online and utilising technology on a DIY basis by these food and drink businesses is not enough to make impact and I would love to create a cooperative of sorts so I can provide the skills and knowledge that can utilise the internet and technology. So if anyone is interested in discussing this or exchanging ideas then please let me know.

As Programme manager for Making it Local (Blackdown Hills and East Devon) we cover a bit of somerset, so check our website www.makingitlocal.org and then see if there is a project to set up! Jenny

Try Sommerset moors and levels LEADER+ - Keith Harrison was the co-ordinator, but they had a food officer - don't remember the name - worked at a local coucil i think.

IT into local products / producers - David Prentice Distinctly Cumbrian - 01768 891555.