Food and Drink iNet launches new phase of support for East Midlands food and drink businesses

Food and drink firms across the East Midlands are to continue to receive support for innovation projects after the Food and Drink iNet secured funding until 2015.

The iNet has helped hundreds of businesses across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland since it launched in 2008.

Run by business support organisation The Food and Drink Forum, the iNet co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the region.

It provides match-funded grants for eligible projects, business consultation and advice, and supports collaboration projects involving university expertise, as well as research projects that are relevant to the sector.

Now the iNet has announced that it has received additional funding of £669,893 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) which means that support for the region’s sector will continue until the end of March 2015.

“This is great news for the food and drink industry in the East Midlands,” said Food and Drink iNet innovation advisor Jo Murphy.

“Innovation is a key springboard to growth and we know that the iNet’s support has been important in the past in helping businesses to develop. We are looking forward to hearing from food and drink manufacturing firms across the region who are keen to benefit from our expertise.”

The iNet support includes a limited pot of cash which is available for match-funded grants for eligible projects.

The iNet is also continuing its work with universities and is currently part funding projects at the University of Nottingham which are focusing on flavour perception, salt reduction in foods and probiotics.

Other universities across the East Midlands, including Nottingham Trent University, and the universities of Leicester, Lincoln and Northampton, are also part of the iNet steering group.

Based at Southglade Food Park, Gala Way, Nottingham, the Food and Drink iNet has advisors who operate across the region.

For more information visit www.foodanddrink-inet.org.uk or call 0845 521 2066.

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk