Success for New Forest Marque members at the Hampshire Life Food and Drink Awards

Aug. 24, 2012 - PRLog -- The awards – regarded as the Oscars of the local food and drink industry - celebrate the finest produce that Hampshire has to offer and give valuable recognition to producers, growers, suppliers and hospitality venues.  The winners are:
New Forest Marque producer of the year -
   Simeon Morgan Farming, Lymington
Tea shop of the year –
   Rosie Lea tea rooms, Brockenhurst

Lisa Morgan, from Simeon Morgan Farming, said: ‘It is great that our customers have taken the time to nominate us for this award and we are so pleased to have won. We get a tremendous sense of pride selling our meat and love to hear how much it has been enjoyed! We are passionate about supplying a high quality product, promoting animal welfare, and educating people about food production and farming in the Forest.’
Rachel Rabbetts, co-owner of Rosie Lea tea rooms, said: ‘We are ever so grateful to our customers for their support and we wouldn’t be here without them. It is wonderful to win such a prestigious award after being open for only nine months.
‘The New Forest is a wonderful place for local produce and we are lucky to have so much on our doorstep.’
Managed by the New Forest National Park Authority, the Marque gives businesses a distinctive 'New Forest' banner under which to sell their goods and services, and help customers identify quality New Forest produce. It encourages people to ‘buy local’ and reduce the environmental impact of transporting food long distances, while helping to sustain the New Forest’s local economy.
‘It is a privilege to see New Forest Marque members win these prestigious awards. They are chosen by the people who live and shop in Hampshire. It reflects the high quality of produce and service here in the New Forest,’ said New Forest Marque Manager Sarah Hunt.
She added: ‘The Marque is unique and it is the only local food scheme like it in the country. It is a contracted scheme that audits its farmers and producers. Producers also have to adhere to a series of stringent standards before the product receives its ‘marque’ of approval.’
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Notes to Photo Editors:
Lisa and Simeon Morgan – New Forest Marque producers of the year. Credit Simeon Morgan.
Notes to Editors:
Find out more about Simeon Morgan at www.simeonmorganfarming.co.uk and Rosie Lea tea rooms at www.rosielea.co.uk.

About the New Forest Marque® – a sign of quality


The scheme was created by New Forest Produce Limited and is managed by the New Forest National Park Authority to:

-give businesses a distinctive 'New Forest' banner under which to sell their goods and services and help customers identify quality New Forest produce
-encourage people to ‘buy local’ and reduce the environmental impact of  transporting food long distances
-help sustain the New Forest’s local economy by supporting local businesses and employment.

For more information on the New Forest Marque and who is part of the Marque visit http://www.newforestproduce.co.uk.

About the New Forest National Park Authority

Protect - Enjoy - Prosper
The New Forest National Park Authority’s statutory purposes are to:
-Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park - Protect
-Promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities – Enjoy.

We also have a duty to:
-Seek to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities within the Park – Prosper.

The New Forest National Park was designated in March 2005. Its unique landscape has been shaped over the centuries by grazing ponies, cattle and pigs which roam free. Majestic woodlands, rare heathland and a spectacular coastline provide fabulous opportunities for quiet recreation, enjoyment and discovery.
Visit http://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk to find out more.

Media Contact:
Karen Evans-McDaid, Communications Officer, New Forest National Park Authority
Tel: 01590 646650
Email: karen.evans-mcdaid@newforestnpa.gov.uk.