Sponsors are sought for the seventh Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival.
 
The festival, run by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA), takes place at the Villa Marina Gardens on 19th and 20th September 2015.
 
‘The festival is growing in popularity as a day out for all the family and, in 2014, attracted 5,600 visitors who spent more than ?110,000 buying produce at the event,’ said Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture.

‘Visitors from off the Island are among those who enjoy the great selection of local food and drink and the celebration of its role in the Island’s culture.

‘The event boasts the chance to taste and buy local food and drink; cookery demonstrations and the final of the prestigious Chef of the Year competition, which is always closely contested, as well as activities for children,’ the Minister continued.

‘Not only is the festival unique in the Island but it is an excellent stage from which to promote the fantastic range of locally produced food and drink.

‘The festival attracts excellent media coverage, both on and, increasingly, off the Island, and provides an unrivalled opportunity for sponsors to raise their profile as supporters of Manx produce and the local economy.’

The event will form an intrinsic part of ‘Food Matters’ – DEFA’s blueprint to grow the value of the Isle of Man food and drink industry by ?50 million over the next decade, which received Tynwald’s backing in November.

The development of a distinctive local food and drink sector is a key aim of Vision 2020, the Government’s strategy for economic success.
 
There are gold, silver and bronze sponsorship packages available.
 
To discuss becoming a sponsor, contact: Audrey Fowler, Marketing Officer at DEFA via audrey.fowler@gov.im or 01624 685856.
 
Information about the festival can be found at www.gov.im/food and information about Food Matters can be found at www.whereyoucan.com/fooddrink.