YORKSHIRE Food is the focus of a showcase event in Harrogate in February, aimed at helping Yorkshire fall in love with local food.

"This is not a co-operative event; more a glorified farmers' market with suppliers from across the region," said Peter Brant, from Yorkshire Independent Grocers'Association.

"We will have all the small producers under one roof - all like-minded people there for a full weekend. We hope to fetch the little boy out of obscurity for, without the little boys, we wouldn't have the big boys like Asda and Morrison's."

Yorkshire Food and Drink 2004 is being backed by Defra's rural enterprises scheme to the tune of £8,100 and will offer buyers and food fans a one-stop opportunity to taste and buy the best of local produce from farmhouse producers and national companies.

It will bring together local food producers and nationally-established companies.

A host of support agencies including Defra, the NFU, Countryside Agency and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (Yorkshire show) will be available to offer advice for producers and retailers.

Among about 100 exhibitors there will be stands by 68 small suppliers, plus the multiples such as the whole of the Nisa chain. Non-food stands will also form part of the event, such as forest outlets which may have items like barbecue equipment to show.

This year the public will be invited to go along and taste some of the products.

"We are not looking to shove supplies into large supermarkets, but to allow small shops to get local quality food," said Mr Brant.

"Farmers need lots of help from us to get their produce sold. Farmers' shops are becoming very popular and there are many outlets springing up which can prove very successful, with the right help with the mountains of paper work and trading."

Last's year's first event generated an enormous amount of business for those attending, he said. As well as trade and catering buyers, representatives from local authorities and primary health care trusts were also to attend, looking at how they could make greater use of locally-produced food.

"We can help develop partnerships between producers so that they can deliver food in the quantities required by schools and hospitals. By bringing all sides of the industry together in one place, we can smooth out a lot of the supply chain issues which put some retailers off stocking local food," he said.

Tony Howard of Lewis and Cooper, Northallerton, one of the UK's oldest independent grocers and winner of three YIGA local shop awards in 2003, is a staunch supporter of the event and small suppliers.

He has helped several traders get their act together successfully.

"I deal with some 280 companies and it is in my interest to help them get off the ground with their products because they supply me," he said.

"One of the stifling facts for new people wanting to set up a food supply outlet is Trading Standards regulations. The paperwork is a minefield which puts many people off before they start."

Highlight of the event will be the announcement on February 14 at a special Valentine's ball of the winners of YIGA's annual local shop awards, dubbed the "Baftas for local food" by the media last year.

To put the event on a professional footing and to help the unpaid organisers such as Peter Brant, a co-ordinator, Angela LeGrice has been appointed. She will be at the end of a new hotline - 01969 666041 - for anyone who wants details.

"Among the exhibitors will be Wensleydale Creamery, Lewis and Coopers of Northallerton, Northern Dales Farmers' Market and Betty's and Taylor's of Harrogate," said Mr Brant.

"Yorkshire produces a wealth of wonderful food which should be available to a wider audience," said Mr Brant. This event is about raising awareness and making the contacts which puts this food on Yorkshire tables, whether it is at home, in school or in our hotels ands restaurants.

"This will be the largest concentration of Yorkshire food producers under one roof.

"We are opening it to the publict his year because they play an important part in the food chain because they can lobby their local shops to stock specific products.

Yorkshire Food and Drink 2004 will take place at the Yorkshire Event Centre, Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, on February 14-15.