Collaborating for success

These likeminded businesses want to maximise their efforts to enhance the attractiveness of their destination through food & drink.

Benefits

• Establishing a recognised local food destination brand which
  can be embraced by all those involved in the local food & drink
  sector when promoting their products and experiences.
  
  
• A level of quality assurance can be achieved by ensuring that all participants meet a required standard therefore giving credibility to all involved. This will also instil a sense of pride in what is being achieved. A rising tide lifts all boats!
  
  
• All businesses can support each other by collaborating and promoting each other’s offerings both within and outside the area. This will be economically beneficial to all.
  
  
• Marketing can be amplified when the group shares the cost so they will be in a better position to spend money on a much more targeted approach to marketing campaigns. There are also more opportunities to work in partnership with local Councils to support the wider destination marketing message and with Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland on local food & drink campaigns. Social media can also be used more efficiently, with better reach and consumer engagement achieved
  
  
• It may be easier to secure funding when working as a group for specific food & drink tourism projects.
  
  
• Clusters can enter national awards and if successful receive huge recognition for their area and this will encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more.
  
  

Taste Causeway

Below is an example from Taste Causeway who were runners up in The Foodie Destination Awards 2019.

Taste Causeway is the unifying vision for the wide array of food & drink producers, artisans, food tourism and hospitality businesses in the stunning Causeway Coast & Glens.

Whether rearing cattle in the lush fields, hauling fish from the stormy seas, plating fine cuisine in award-winning restaurants, or serving street food in the bustling markets, they are committed to offering fresh, flavourful food, warm hospitality and an immersive experience that showcases this special place.

Their members strive to create exceptional food & drink produce and experiences through collaboration, imagination and innovation, developing fresh takes on old traditions. There are over 90 active members who have signed up to the local food criteria and Collaboration Agreement. Taste Causeway is an Invest NI Collaborative Growth Network and is set up as a Community Interest Company. Members include Broighter Gold, Broughgammon Farm, The Bushmills Inn, Causeway Coast Foodie Tours, Bushmills Distillery, Glens of Antrim, Corndale Farm, Glenballyeamon Eggs, Irish Feast Tours, Islander Kelp, Lacada Brewery, Morelli’s Ice Cream, Northcoast Smokehouse, Ocho Tapas Bistro, Tartine at the Distillers Arms, Blackrock House B&B and The Chocolate Manor.

Local events and festivals the network is involved in include the Salmon and Whiskey Festival, Portrush Beer Fest and in October 2019, the members put together a month-long programme of Taste Causeway events as part of the Taste the Island initiative. Taste Causeway were runners up in the Foodie Destination Awards 2019 and were awarded Slow Food Destination status in May 2020.