Liverpool Food Network is the city’s first dedicated network for food suppliers and independent hospitality businesses across the region, and in its first few months it’s already grown to include fifteen local food and drink businesses.
We caught up with founder Louise Kissack, who previously spent over a decade working for global food brands including McDonald’s and Costa Coffee.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time for Liverpool Food Network. Our members range from start-ups who aren’t yet trading, through to established businesses with multiple sites across the city and beyond. As a collective we operate over 30 locations, and that allows us to leverage better rates from larger suppliers who are now providing discounts for our members on everything from packaging to payment systems. Each supplier offers our members a deal they could not achieve on their own – in fact one member recently saved 18% on their packaging costs through a deal we negotiated with a sustainable packaging supplier.”
Liverpool Food Network has also become a hub for enquiries from further afield, with exciting things coming for members including free courses, sponsorship deals and festivals.
“We have several members who’ll be part of the food offering at the 3-day Enchanted Fields Festival in Southport this month. We’ll be sponsoring the Restaurant and Takeaway Show in London this October, and we’re planning a trip with our members which will also include a ‘Food Safari’ in the capital. We also have a team of members working in conjunction with Lancaster University on projects to reduce food and kitchen waste.”
Membership starts from just £25 per month, and local businesses are connected through personalised introductions and networking events. Liverpool Food Network members can also access affordable business advice and discounted rates from some of the hospitality industry’s leading professionals including accountants, photographers, graphic designers and food safety consultants.
For further information visit www.liverpoolfoodnetwork.co.uk
