The pub industry has taken a hit in recent times which has led HEART of ENGLAND fine foods (HEFF) to launch its ‘Try Something Local’ scheme to encourage customers back into the iconic British pub. This is perfect for the many great pubs and restaurants in the Shrewsbury area.

HEFF, the food group for the heart of England, has come up with its ‘Try Something Local’ campaign to encourage pub owners to offer more locally produced food and drink on their menus to help give a point of difference and show they are supporting local producers.  It has become more of a trend for pubs and restaurants to use more locally produced ingredients and to highlight it on menus as a way of engaging with customers.

Using local produce can also help reduce costs as sourcing local, seasonal products will often be cheaper as well as being fresh and of good quality and cutting down on food miles.

To be part of the scheme, Shropshire pubs and restaurants have to stock at least six local products at the bar or on the menu and in return they receive ‘Try Something Local’ branded point of sale merchandise including an A-board, glasses, beer mats, badges and bunting to help stand out as doing something different.

Products can include bar snacks such as crisps, nuts and pork scratchings, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks or any regionally sourced product that can be used on their menus such as meat, cheese, chutneys and pickles, ice cream, eggs and fruit and vegetables just to name a few.

The Pheasant at Admaston is just one of the pubs taking part.  Owner Richard Fletcher said: “My wife Sue and I have had The Pheasant for the past four years now.  I have been cooking for 25-30 years, mainly in Shropshire, but The Pheasant was our first pub and I wanted to put the emphasis on using local produce.  I contacted HEFF and they steered me in the right direction, and helped with finding a number of appropriate suppliers.  It is something we are passionate about – I want to know where I get my food from and aim to cut down on food miles as much as possible.”

Regional drinks have been proving popular with brands such as Wenlock Spring, The Wood Brewery, Sadler’s Ales, Ludlow Vineyard and Distillery, Spyder Ginger Beer and Henney’s being available along with a number of others.

Shropshire pub owners can also order their products through the HEFF Delivery Service which operates a one order, one delivery, one invoice system making buying local products as easy as possible.

For more information call the HEFF office on 01743 452818 or send Georgina an email.

Try Something Local Event

A free event is being held at the HEFF headquarters at Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre, Shrewsbury, in the TASTE kitchen on Tuesday 1 March from 10am.

The event will include a tutored demonstration with HEFF Development Chef Ed Warren who will show fresh ideas and way of incorporating local produce onto menus to help increase sales.  There will also be a product showcase of local food and drink.

For more information call 01743 452818 or visit their bestof Shrewsbury page.