Thursday 14th May 2026: Today, Visit Northumberland and Northumberland County Council launch the new Taste of Northumberland scheme. A first in the UK, this new initiative brings together a collection of bookable county-wide foodie experiences and tours, with a brand new quality mark that assures consumers of genuine ingredients, artisan skill and locally sourced products.
Taste of Northumberland brings together the county’s finest food, drink and hospitality businesses to shape and strengthen Northumberland’s reputation as a leading destination for outstanding local produce. Led by Visit Northumberland, the initiative has worked closely with Food and Drink North East and Business Northumberland to provide access to tailored business support programmes and to connect the people and businesses behind the county's vibrant food and drink sector. To date, close to 100 producers, retailers and hospitality businesses have come together to celebrate the quality, diversity and provenance of Northumberland’s food story. The scheme champions the fantastic food and drink that is grown, made and served across the county.
This timely launch is set against a backdrop of growing interest in UK staycations. Northumberland is well known for its exceptional food and drink offer, which is the largest contributor to the visitor economy, generating half a billion pounds in economic value and supporting over 46% of sector employment). According to Visit Northumberland, the strength of the food and drink sector continues to underpin visitor satisfaction, destination distinctiveness and high-value experiences across both urban and rural areas. Food and drink remain the single largest contributor to the visitor economy and a defining feature of Northumberland’s tourism offer.
Andrew Fox, Chair of Visit Northumberland comments: "Taste of Northumberland is a celebration of authenticity and heritage that reassures customers of genuine local ingredients. We are thrilled to be launching it to consumers and to be welcoming a range of media to Northumberland to showcase the county's exceptional food offering, from behind-the-scenes tours of our producers to tastings and foodie-themed experiences."
More than just an accreditation scheme, Taste of Northumberland is not just conceptual, it is experiential: linking both provenance and the visitor offer in a county-wide programme. Taste of Northumberland is as much about education as it is about enjoyment, speaking directly to the end consumer. It is the most comprehensive scheme of its kind, offering consumers:
- A trusted mark of quality across the county - a platform showcasing Northumberland’s finest products to retailers, buyers and consumers. The official Taste of Northumberland logo assures consumers of genuine ingredients, artisan skill and locally sourced products
- A compelling visitor offer – a collection of bookable county-wide immersive foodie experiences: tastings, pop-ups, special menus, foodie trails and more
- A connected network of producers and hospitality – Taste of Northumberland places businesses at the heart of Northumberland’s food and drink story, offering not only access to events, campaign and promotional opportunities but also a community of like-minded members across the region
At a moment when the issues around UK food production are at their most pressing - both in terms of our collective health and wellbeing and the environmental and economic impact - Taste of Northumberland invites immersive discovery of Northumberland’s wealth of natural produce, shining a spotlight on the county’s vast and varied food infrastructure. The scheme aims to strengthen local supply chains, boost economic resilience and increase consumer confidence in Northumberland produce.
Cllr Wendy Pattison adds: “Northumberland has every reason to be proud of its food and drink – of the landscapes that shapes it, and of the people who grow, make and serve it with such care and skill. Taste of Northumberland brings that pride together for the first time, uniting our producers and hospitality businesses under a trusted mark that reflects the quality and authenticity of what our county does best. This exciting new scheme not only celebrates our rich food heritage, but strengthens local supply chains, supports jobs and invites residents and visitors alike to experience Northumberland through its exceptional local produce.”
Close to 100 local businesses have already signed up to the programme including: Pine, First & Last Brewery, Buston Potatoes, The Orangery at The Tempus, Turnbull's Northumbrian Food, Running Fox, Blackfriars & Dobson & Parnell, Northumbrian Gifts, Triple A Food Tours and Ad Gefrin Anglo Saxon and Whisky Distillery.
Elain Meenaghan, Director of Sales at The Doxford Group adds: "We are delighted to be involved with Taste of Northumberland and proud to host the launch event at The Tempus as a partner in this exciting initiative. We look forward to working alongside the numerous partners involved to help showcase the very best of the region and deliver new experiences for guests visiting Tempus and the wider Northumberland area.”
Further information available here, launch film here; imagery here.
