Eat the Island - Food and Drink Industry networking

Eat the Island is Portsmouth City Council’s initiative to support local food and drink businesses to grow and strengthen the city’s economy.
About this Event

Eat the Island is Portsmouth City Council’s initiative to support Portsmouth’s food and drink businesses to grow, helping to strengthen the city’s economy and celebrate our vibrant food scene.

This free business networking event brings together local producers, independent retailers and hospitality venues from across Portsmouth and the South Coast.

Hosted at Southsea's Meat and Barrel, the event marks the official launch of Southsea Food Festival, one of the South’s biggest food festivals, recently recognised as Event of the Year at the Portsmouth Business Awards.

Why attend?

Portsmouth is home to a thriving and diverse food and drink sector, from independent producers and retailers to restaurants, cafés and community food businesses. Eat the Island is designed to help that sector grow.

By attending, you will:

• make new business connections with local producers, buyers, retailers and hospitality venues
• explore opportunities to collaborate and trade locally
• showcase your products to potential customers and stockists
• gain insights from short, practical talks focused on business growth
• be part of a city‑wide initiative that supports local businesses and strengthens Portsmouth’s economy

What to expect

• informal networking with food and drink businesses from across the city and region
• opportunities for producers to present their products to local hospitality venues and retailers
• a short programme of talks focused on growth, collaboration and local supply chains

Who should attend?

This event is ideal for:

• food and drink producers
• independent retailers
• cafés, restaurants, pubs and hospitality venues
• buyers and businesses looking to source locally

Event details

Venue: Meat and Barrel, Portsmouth

Address: 110-114 Palmerston Rd, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea PO5 3PT

Date: Thursday 4 June

Time: 9am – 12 noon

Cost: Free to attend

Organised by

Eat the Island is organised by Portsmouth City Council and Hampshire Fare, with support from Meat and Barrel.

Programme

9am - Event open, welcome drinks and networking

9:45am - Welcome, local business update and launch of Southsea Food Festival by Cllr. Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council

9:55am - Growth and Diversification: a panel discussion hosted by Natasha Dochniak, Hampshire Fare with Lucy Bridgewater, Owner of Shroom Kitchen, George Coleman, Owner of Stones Throw Kitchen and Luke Lovelace, Owner Baked By Sweet Tooth.

10:20am - Business support and City of Culture BID with Jane Lamer Head of Economic Development and Skills at Portsmouth City Council.

10:25am - Group photograph

10:30am - Networking

11:45am - Event closes

Book today to secure your free place

Spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended.