Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
the city. This was where the 'must-be-seen' wealthy had to go to be seen,
the events included the Harrow and Eton cricket match, Henley Regatta,
Cowes Regatta and the Epsom Derby. Fortnum and Mason supplied picnic
hampers for these occasions, many of them being collected on the day from
the store.
Hampers traditionally were wicker baskets, but now a range of con-
tainers are used; we recently had a meal on a train and the meal was in a
cardboard box that was called a 'hamper'.
The picnic has evolved; not all food tourists want waiter service and
sit-down meals, some want to sit in the countryside and admire the view
and have a picnic. This is also a cost-effective way of providing food as a
catering offer.
Picnics can be set up on rustic tables or a provider can do something dif-
ferent. It is amazing what can be achieved with an old tractor tyre as a table,
wooden seats, large cushions and a rug. All of a sudden you have a boutique
picnic offer that is memorable and unique.
Some guests will bring their own food in a hamper whilst others will
want you to provide food. The most effective way of doing this is to provide
food hampers of various sizes and with a range of ingredients. The hampers
should contain all local food and can also be sold as gifts or for consumption
off site.
Many farm retailers now create specific hampers custom-made for their
patrons.
Food Trails
Fig. 8.4.
Flavour Trail sign on
Vancouver Island, British
Columbia, Canada.
A recent and rapidly growing food tourism attraction is food trails.
Government and tourist organizations alike are developing food trails as
a new tourist marketing opportunity. The modern food trail is based on a
travel habit that is centuries old. Early explorers went on food trails to the
Spice Islands and other regions of the world. Many early food trail explorers
were on a walking mission to discover new edible plants and foods. Today
