Taste of Northumberland Scheme Launches to Promote County’s Food and Drink Excellence

Visit Northumberland and Northumberland County Council have introduced the Taste of Northumberland scheme, a pioneering initiative in the UK that unites a range of bookable foodie experiences and tours across the county. This new programme features a quality mark designed to guarantee consumers authentic ingredients, artisan craftsmanship, and locally sourced products.

The scheme aims to consolidate Northumberland’s finest food, drink, and hospitality businesses, enhancing the county’s standing as a premier destination for exceptional local produce. Spearheaded by Visit Northumberland, the project has collaborated closely with Food and Drink North East and Business Northumberland to offer tailored business support and connect the individuals and enterprises behind the region’s vibrant food and drink sector.

Nearly 100 producers, retailers, and hospitality businesses have joined the scheme to highlight the quality, diversity, and provenance of Northumberland’s food heritage. Taste of Northumberland celebrates the county’s food and drink that is cultivated, crafted, and served locally.

The launch coincides with a surge in interest in UK staycations. Northumberland’s food and drink sector is the largest contributor to its visitor economy, generating £500 million in economic value and supporting over 46% of employment within the sector. Visit Northumberland emphasises that the strength of this sector remains a key driver of visitor satisfaction, destination distinctiveness, and high-value experiences across both urban and rural areas.

Andrew Fox, Chair of Visit Northumberland, stated: “Taste of Northumberland is a celebration of authenticity and heritage that reassures customers of genuine local ingredients. We are thrilled to be launching it to consumers and to be welcoming a range of media to Northumberland to showcase the county’s exceptional food offering, from behind-the-scenes tours of our producers to tastings and foodie-themed experiences.”

More than an accreditation, Taste of Northumberland is experiential, linking provenance with the visitor offer through a county-wide programme. It focuses on education as much as enjoyment, engaging directly with consumers.

The scheme offers:

• A trusted quality mark across the county, showcasing Northumberland’s finest products to retailers, buyers, and consumers. The official Taste of Northumberland logo guarantees genuine ingredients, artisan skill, and locally sourced products.
• A compelling visitor offer featuring bookable immersive foodie experiences such as tastings, pop-ups, special menus, and foodie trails.
• A connected network of producers and hospitality businesses, placing them at the heart of Northumberland’s food and drink story. Members gain access to events, campaigns, promotional opportunities, and a community of like-minded businesses across the region.

At a time when UK food production faces significant challenges concerning health, wellbeing, environmental, and economic impacts, Taste of Northumberland encourages immersive exploration of the county’s natural produce. It highlights Northumberland’s extensive and varied food infrastructure, aiming to strengthen local supply chains, enhance economic resilience, and boost consumer confidence in local products.

Cllr Wendy Pattison commented: “Northumberland has every reason to be proud of its food and drink – of the landscapes that shape it, and of the people who grow, make and serve it with such care and skill. Taste of Northumberland brings that pride together for the first time, uniting our producers and hospitality businesses under a trusted mark that reflects the quality and authenticity of what our county does best. This exciting new scheme not only celebrates our rich food heritage, but strengthens local supply chains, supports jobs and invites residents and visitors alike to experience Northumberland through its exceptional local produce.”

Close to 100 local businesses have already joined the programme, including Pine, First & Last Brewery, Buston Potatoes, The Orangery at The Tempus, Turnbull’s Northumbrian Food, Running Fox, Blackfriars & Dobson & Parnell, Northumbrian Gifts, Triple A Food Tours, and Ad Gefrin Anglo Saxon and Whisky Distillery.

Elain Meenaghan, Director of Sales at The Doxford Group, said: “We are delighted to be involved with Taste of Northumberland and proud to host the launch event at The Tempus as a partner in this exciting initiative. We look forward to working alongside the numerous partners involved to help showcase the very best of the region and deliver new experiences for guests visiting Tempus and the wider Northumberland area.”