Boost for Cumbrian farmers

The money will help local food producers

Market farms and speciality food in Cumbria are to benefit from a £7m scheme.

Plans for the £2.4m "Tastes of the Northwest" project were unveiled at the Lowther Show, near Penrith, on Friday.

The North West Development Agency (NWDA) scheme will help over 2,000 firms in the region to access new markets

Information will also be available about the £4.7m "Distinctly Cumbrian" project, to help farmers and rural businesses in the county.

It is hoped the money will create 26 new farmers markets, generate 59 new jobs and safeguard a further 150.

'Dynamic' economy

The ¿Distinctly Cumbrian' scheme is a unique programme to support farmers, and new and existing rural businesses, in improving the production, distribution and marketing of local produce.

The project, which has received funding of £4.7 million from the NWDA, will operate throughout rural Cumbria.

Steven Broomhead, NWDA chief executive, said: "The food sector is worth over £9.5bn to the economy of England's Northwest, so these innovative programmes really will make a difference.

"The vision here is to deliver a dynamic food economy for the Northwest that is both financially and socially sustainable, allowing the sector to grow and become more competitive.¿

Bob Clark, chief executive director of Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency (CREA), said: "The timing has never been better to strengthen the links between producer and consumer, and the NWDA has provided the resources to make things happen."