Food and Drink
Cornwall’s reputation, impressive business base and active networks are complemented by a range of support services to help businesses compete, gain early market advantage and move up the value chain.
Covering the whole food chain, from applied research and development giving market insight, working in businesses on quality, cost and productivity initiatives, developing new products, accessing ready skilled labour, up-skilling your staff - to an expert, practical helping hand for small businesses. Plymouth University’s Food & Nutrition Research Centre and Duchy College’s Food Innovation Service can help.
Food manufacture, processing & waste control
Balancing continuous improvements in efficiency with quality is a common challenge in projects undertaken by Plymouth University in working with business
Examples include working with Rodda's to reduce waste and Langage Farm on an anaerobic digestion. Food processing expertise includes food structure and chemistry, process control technologies, robotics and automation and waste reduction. Pilot plant facilities with know-how for new product development are available for dairy, bakery, pastry and meat through its programme of food manufacturing excellence and upskilling existing staff is available at Duchy College and Food Innovation Service.
Marketing & packaging
Packaging and marketing expertise is found at Plymouth University
Food systems, quality and compliance
Includes market research into consumer attitudes, local foods and flavour e.g. Plymouth University investigated attitudes to local food in a study for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Duchy College can help with labelling, nutritional and legislative advice including practical short courses to ensure supplier compliance.
Food & Associated R&D
Whether this is primary agriculture or food security, supply chain management or slow food, there are a number of research projects and centres available:
PPRE
Plymouth University’s Food & Nutrition Research Centre
Food and Associated Tourism, Hospitality and Rural Business Management
The following partners all offer training and/or services related to food and drink and its links to Tourism, Hospitality and Rural Business Management
Plymouth University
Cornwall College Business
Truro and Penwith College
Rural Business School
Food and Drink Links
Invest in Cornwall
Cornwall Agri-food Council
TSB Agriculture & Food Platform