The New Forest Marque is celebrating a record year as membership reaches almost 200, and awareness of the quality of local produce continues to rise across the region.
The New Forest Marque is a local produce accreditation scheme that started over 20 years ago, originally set out to support farmers. The distinctive Marque emblem is found on display in New Forest shops, outlets and eateries, and certification is only awarded to those businesses that meet strict criteria relating to local provenance, making it a sought-after stamp of quality.
Backed by the New Forest National Park Authority, the New Forest Marque champions and celebrates local produce linked to the landscape that creates amazing food, drink, crafts, and more. Centuries of unique farming practices and traditions such as commoning, alongside an abundance of free-roaming livestock and rare native wildlife, result in a delicate balance of community, local economy, and nature that exists nowhere else.
The Marque prides itself on having a distinct community ethos developed through regular social gatherings, events, and training opportunities for members, with a strong emphasis on collaboration. A New Forest Marque ‘Inspired’ category has also been created, especially for artists inspired by the beauty of the New Forest, with nearly 50 members regularly coming together for creative endeavours and successful showcases.
New Forest Marque events have included a sold-out Flavours of the Forest dining evening at Stanwell House Hotel, Lymington, showcasing the best in local artisan food and drink, producer markets at Everton Nurseries and the New Forest Show, and a Craft Producers Exhibition at the New Forest Heritage Centre in the spring.
The quality and flavour of Marque-accredited produce continues to shine. Six members were honoured with Great Taste Awards this year, and New Forest Shortbread earned international recognition with a prestigious World Taste Award.
Media coverage has included a feature in Waitrose Weekend newspaper titled ’20 Secrets of the New Forest’. Meanwhile, 10,000 copies of the Marque’s Local Produce Guide have been distributed across the New Forest, showcasing members’ stories and listings. It’s been a productive year online too, with the New Forest Marque’s social media reaching over half a million people.
The New Forest Marque’s Interim Chairman, David Bence, said: ‘It’s been a challenging year for many small businesses, which is why the Marque’s events, network, training and joint marketing are proving so valuable. Choosing local and seasonal often means fresher, healthier, more traceable produce, and this is becoming more sought-after. In the New Forest, people are keen to support the small businesses linked to the landscape on their doorstep.’
If you’re a local producer, maker, or business sharing a passion for the New Forest, apply for membership today at newforestmarque.co.uk
