Welsh food and drink producers are gearing up for one of the UK�s most important trade shows, the Food and Drink Expo 2008 (April 6-9).

The biennial event at the NEC in Birmingham attracts leading buyers from the food service, retail, wholesale and manufacturing industries and is an important showcase for Welsh producers.

A number of Welsh companies will be exhibiting under the Welsh Assembly Government�s True Taste banner, many of them True Taste Food & Drink Award winners.

South Wales baker, the Welsh Hills Bakery will be launching a new brand � Lovemore Free From.

The exciting new range of wheat, gluten and dairy-free products is aimed at both the retail and food service sectors. The range includes cookies, biscuits, digestives, cakes, sweet pastries, mince pies, puff pastry blocks and sausage rolls.

The Hirwaun-based company will also be exhibiting its Welsh Hills range of individual wrapped cake slices for the travel industry and public sector catering.

Making its exhibition debut will be the Otley Brewing Company Ltd, which launched in 2005.

Winner of five gold awards at the 2007 Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival, the Pontypridd based brewery will be showing three of its beers at the Expo � Otley O Garden, Otley 08, and the flagship Otley 01.

The beers will be available in cask form for sampling as well as in bottles.

New packaging inspired by its natural surroundings will be revealed by Britain�s only dedicated organic production smokehouse - The Organic Smokehouse.

The Powys company�s new look features images such as oak leaves and sawn wood to convey the natural qualities of its smoked products which include, salmon, cheese, butter, salt, olive oil, and salmon mousse.

Winners of the Ready Meal Category at the Expo�s Ideas to Dine For! Awards with its Handmade Artichoke Heart Tortelloni, The Fresh Pasta Company will have several new products at the event.

In addition to the award-winning Handmade Artichoke Heart Tortelloni, there will be Handmade Braised Beef Tortelloni, Handmade Wild Mushroom Tortelloni, Smoked Salmon Ravioli, Rocket Ravioli and Handmade Spinach & Ricotta Tortelloni.

New eco-friendly packaging will be on display from the Knobbly Carrot Food Company.

The Lampeter based company will be showing its range of soups, pasta sauces, sandwich fillings and houmous, along with its new 2.5 litre environmentally friendly packaging for catering packs which also extend the products shelf-life.

Making a new venture into chilled desserts will be South Caernarfon Creameries, which has a number of new products to launch at the Expo.

The award-winning farmer-owned dairy co-operative is already known for its range of cheeses, and will be launching two limited edition cream based desserts � Chocolate Pot and Lemon Posset.

The North Wales based company will also be showing its new Caerphilly cheese, which is branded as part of its Old Shire family brand. Made from Welsh milk with a delicate creamy texture its is available in 200g retail packs or larger 2.5kg deli blocks and is a great alternative to Feta in a Greek Salad.

Powys based Radnor Hills Mineral Water Co will be launching its new soft drink, Aqua 50.

Holders of the Queen�s Award for International Trade, the company has created a healthy juice drink with no additives for the health conscious. Aqua 50 contains 50% juice and 50% water it is available in three blends, lemon & lime, blackcurrant & apple and white grape & redcurrant.

Artisan Powys flour producer Bacheldre Watermill will be showing its new flour in an original smoked flavour.

The Oak Smoked Stoneground Organic Strong Malted Blend Flour is ideal for bread machines and hand-baking, producing a delicious loaf with a sweet wood-smoked aroma that is reminiscent of bread baked in a wood-fired oven.

To achieve the natural smoky flavour, the malted wheat flakes from the mill are cold smoked over oak chippings from the Welsh Marches at The Organic Smokehouse to create a premium traditionally stoneground flour.

The flour is individually packed and stitched in fully sustainable, biodegradable and home compostable packaging. Adding the finishing green touch, the eco-friendly company has also just introduced fully compostable labels.

Halen M�n/The Anglesey Sea Salt Company will be introducing a number of new products at the Expo.

Last November the company�s Halen M�n sea salt was named as one of the world�s top five gastronomic products by a global congress of chefs at the legendary Feria de Gastronom�a in San Sebastian.

New at the Expo will be Oak smoked and Organic spiced Halen M�n in 500g chef�s packs, 100g fine Halen M�n, 100g organic celery Halen M�n, and 10g tubes of Halen M�n vanilla, organic spiced, oak smoked, pure and organic celery. Recipe cards and POS material will also be on show.

Ice cream and sorbet manufacturer, Sub Zero, has added some new flavours to its already extensive list of ices.

The award-winning Rhondda company produces 36 different flavours and will be showing five new varieties at the Expo � melon & ginger, cinnamon & plum, pannacotta & rhubarb, clotted cream, and mochachino.

Ty Nant Spring Water Ltd the Bethania based company will be displaying its award winning Ty Nant range available in cobalt blue and crimson red glass, still and sparkling mineral water and the chic and minimalist TAU spring water range.

Also on display will be the Ross Lovegrove designed PET bottle available in 1.5ltr, 1.0ltr and 500ml.

A large range of gourmet sausages, new burgers and meat balls will be on offer from The Welsh Sausage Company.

New from the Welshpool company will be the 100% Celtic Burger made from Welsh Lamb available in 6oz and 8oz. and aimed at the restaurant sector.

Also on show will be the company�s stuffing balls, new range of meat balls, and healthier options for schools.

Princes Gate Spring Water Ltd will be displaying its full range of still, sparkling & flavoured waters. The award winning eco-aware Pembrokeshire company will also be showcasing its new sophisticated glass range of 330ml and 750ml still and sparkling waters.

In addition a number of other *food and drink companies will be exhibiting at the Show under the auspices of Carmarthenshire County Council.

-Ends- For further information please contact: Sheila Coleman Tel: 01792 817532 / 07968 357474 Email: sheila@colemanroberts.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS COMPANIES EXHIBITING UNDER THE TRUE TASTE BANNER

For further information about products please contact:

Bacheldre Watermill

Churchstoke

Montgomery

Powys

SY15 6TE

Tel: 01588 620489

Email: info@bacheldremill.co.uk

Website:www.bacheldremill.co.uk

Contact: Matt & Anne Scott

Carmarthenshire County Council Economic Development Rural Business Centre Nant Y Ci Carmarthen SA33 5DR Tel: 01267 242331 Email: BaDavies@carmarthenshire.gov.uk Contact: Barry Davies

Radnor Hills Mineral Water Ltd

Heartsease

Knighton

Powys

LD7 1LU

Tel: 01547 530 220

Website: www.radnorhills.co.uk

Email:penny@radnorhills.co.uk

Contact: Penny Butler

Halen M�n/The Anglesey Sea Salt Company

Brynsiencyn

Llanfairpwll

Anglesey

LL61 6TQ

Tel: 01248 430871

Email:Alison@seasalt.co.uk

Website: www.seasalt.co.uk

Contact: Alison Lea-Wilson

Sub Zero Ice Cream

Ely Industrial Estate

Williamstown

Rhondda Cynon Taf

Tel: 01443 441159

Email: Kevin@subzero-icecream.co.uk

Website: www.subzero-icecream.co.uk

Contact: Kevin Jenkins

The Organic Smokehouse

Oak Meadow

Bacheldre

Church Stoke

Montgomery

Powys

Tel: 01588 660206

Email: michael@organicsmokehouse.com

Website: www.organicsmokehouse.com

Contact: Michael Leviseur

Welsh Hills Bakery

Old Tramway

Hirwaun

Aberdare

Rhindda Cynon Taf

CF44 9NY

Tel: 01685 813545

Email: admin@welshhills.com

Contact: Ian Douglass

The Knobbly Carrot Food Company

Unit 18

Lampeter Business Park

Lampeter

SA48 8LT

Tel: 01570 422064

Email: sales@theknobblycarrot.co.uk

Website: www.theknobblycarrot.co.uk

Contact: Stephanie Bond

Princes Gate Spring Water Ltd

New House Farm

Prince�s Gate

Narberth

Pembrokeshire

SA67 8JD

Tel: 01834 831225

Email: info@princesgatespringwater.com

Website: www.princesgatespringwater.com

Contact: Fran Roche or Rachel Evans

Otley Brewing Company Ltd

Unit 42

Albion Industrial Estate

Pontypridd

CF37 4DA

Tel: 01443 480555

Email: info@otletbrewing.co.uk

Website:www.otleybrewing.co.uk

Contact: Nick Otley

South Caernarfon Creameries

Rhydygwystl

Pwllheli

Gwynedd

LL53 6SB

Tel: 01766 810251

E-mail: info@sccwales.co.uk

Website: www.sccwales.co.uk

Contact: Angharad Jones

The Fresh Pasta Company Ltd.

Compass House

Merthyr Tydfil Industrial Park

Merthyr Tydfil

CF48 4DR

Tel: 0845 603 7746

Email: pasta@thefreshpastacompany.com

Website: www.thefreshpastacompany.com

Contact: Sole Nasi

The Welsh Sausage Company

4 Berriew Street

Welshpool

Powys

SA21 7AD

Tel: 01938 552331

Email: john@langfords-foodhall.co.uk

Website: www.langfords-foodhall.co.uk

Contact: John Langford

Ty Nant Spring Water Ltd

Bethania

Llanon

Ceredigion

SY23 5LS

Tel: 01974 272 111

Email: anna.martin@tynant.com

Website: www.tynant.com

Contact: Anna Martin

*COMPANIES EXHIBITING UNDER AUSPICES OF CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Brecon Carreg Water

Carmarthen Ham

Caws Cenarth

Felinfoel Brewery

Ffos Y Ffin

Kid Me Not

Kite Wholefoods

Maureens Cakes

Nantybwla Cheese

Leslie A Parsons & Sons Ltd

Pemberton Victorian Chocolates

Pencader Bakery

Philip Hughes

Carmarthenshire Cheese Co Ltd. - Pont Gar

San Cler Organic

Tregroes Waffles