Options to promote local food and drink explored

The Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival was scrapped last year

Producers still feel "one large flagship event" showcasing the Manx food and drink industry is "absolutely needed", the environment, food and agriculture minister has said.

Clare Barber said a dedicated group had been set up to discuss ways of driving the sector forward on the island.

It follows the cancellation of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture's (Defa) Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival last year.

Barber said while the future of that event had not yet been determined, work would commence to "explore and agree" promotions for the next financial year.

The minister told the House of Keys if an event was to take place, the department would have to explore how it was undertaken, the location, mitigation around weather and "revisit the conversation around sponsorship and funding".

But she said feedback in response to smaller promotional events held in 2024 had shown it was "still felt that one large flagship event on food as well as on Manx culture, music and language is absolutely needed".

'Rebuild confidence'

The newly formed food and drink group, which was set to meet on 5 February, would provide input that was "key" to developing the offering provided by government for the industry.

"It is important we listen to the industry and they are absolutely part of designing the programme that meets their needs," she said.

She acknowledged while she had promised a series of smaller events for the sector "with honest ambition", not all the actions and activities had been carried out.

While Jason Moorhouse asked if there were concerns that producers would be more "reluctant" to get involved in plans after the food and drink festival was scrapped with little notice.

Barber said the department would be working with the producers, but acknowledged the Defa would have to work to "rebuild confidence" from the sector.