Our aim is to help strengthen and support businesses in the food and drink sector.

Taste North East Limited is the not for profit food and drink membership organisation for North East England. It was established in June 2011 to build on the strengths of both Northumbria Larder and Taste NE, the North East England Food and Drink Group, which was funded by One North East for four years to promote and develop the sector.

Food and drink is a key sector in the region’s economy, employing just under 51,000 people, from land-based industries through manufacturing and processing to hospitality and tourism (Source: ONE North East 2010). This represents approx 4.39% of total employment and just over 4.5% of the North East's GVA (Gross value added). In financial terms, this equates to £896m GVA from primary and manufacturing, plus an estimated £914m GVA related to the visitor economy.

Taste North East aims to help food and drink business improve and promote the high quality food and drink and excellent customer service that the region has to offer. Its services and membership are open to any business throughout the food and drink supply chain, from artisan producers, through manufacturers and processors to hotels, caterers, restaurants, retailers and tourist attractions.

Our Board is made up of local businesses from across the spectrum, supported by strategic advisers such as; Sir Donald Curry, former HMG adviser, Chair of NFU Mutual and the Better Regulation Executive and Terry Laybourne, chef, author, founder of the highly successful 21 Group, and responsible for the region’s first Michelin star in 1991.

Join Taste North East if you grow, make, sell, prepare or serve food and drink.

Getting North East food on North East plates and beyond is at the heart of what we do by promoting the 'buy local, use local, eat local, stay local' mantra.

We’re specialists in helping our members to identify markets and then getting their products in front of the all important buyers – be they supermarkets, independent retailers, farm shops, foodservice and catering focused businesses or shoppers seeking fresh, locally sourced produce and ingredients. 

Our membership

We’re the prime source of support for local food and drink businesses, working with enterprises from, initial start–up’s to expanding companies. We provide services which range from training, technical advice, help with marketing and identifying routes to market. Members can also draw on our Ask the Expert facility and seek advice on identifying funding sources to support their business to grow.

Membership benefits include:

• Sector updates, views & news
• Listing and individual business microsites in the Food and Drink Directory
• Answers to technical and business questions through our expert panel
• Business seminars, events and networking
• Discounts on key products and additional services