Event tackles threats to food supply chain
Birmingham Wholesale Market (BWM) welcomed over 250 guests in an event to discuss the existential threats to the food supply chain.
Named as 'Resilience and Response ', the event focused on the rising food costs and challenging economic conditions and was held at the Birmingham Wholesale Market in Witton.
The event discussed how the BWM provides a vital role in securing availability of competitively priced fresh produce to the West Midlands. The BWM is the essential catalyst to the independent retail stores and the hospitality sector supply chains and is open to all who wish to purchase wholesale.
Delegates took part in tours across the market, meeting traders and relishing the opportunity to purchase a range of delicious globally sourced produce from fruit, vegetable, meat, seafood, dairy and flower and plant sellers.
Squadron leader (Rtd) Shaun Pascoe, gave the keynote address sharing insight and learnings from his time in the armed forces, and gave strategies to cope in the face of a crisis.
The topic of food chain supply issues was discussed and debated under the heading 'Is our turkey safe for Christmas?' by the strategy panel, led by Henrietta Brealey, CEO of Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce (GBCC).
She was joined by Mark Tate, director of George Perry Ltd, Andrew Barnes, general manager and Steven Walters, director of J.Vickerstaff.
Guests were also treated to a delicious lunch from The Active Wellbeing Society that included fresh produce from the market.
The event was sponsored by NFU Mutual.
Greg Wheatley, NFU Mutual Central Warwickshire corporate partner said “Since the GBCC introduced us to the hidden gem of the West Midlands that is the Birmingham wholesale market, our partner relationship has gone from strength to strength.
“The Resilience and Response event was the ideal opportunity for us to collaborate with our GBCC relationship manager Jayne Hume. The event was a great success and gave insightful advice about how to tackle the cost of living rises to the 250 guests that attended.
“NFU Mutual Central Warwickshire pride ourselves on building strong relationships with our clients and offering our expert advice and quality service to businesses as they continue to navigate constant change. ”
Jayne Hume, relationships manager of the GBCC said: “We were delighted to be able to support Birmingham Wholesale Markets to host this very successful open day showcasing the importance of the market for the region and the challenges that they are overcoming with a focus on the future.'
“The Chamber is proud of its role connecting our members with the strong strategic relationship between Birmingham Wholesale Markets and NFU Mutual Central Warwickshire being an excellent example ”
Louise Poxon of LP Accounting said: "You put on a great day that really promoted what everyone at the markets is being successful at and this event showcased what the markets are about, supporting community, supporting healthy behaviour while dealing admiringly with the economic pressures that face our world. ”