LOVERS of good food will be licking their lips over the impressive choice of food and drink on offer in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

It follows the launch of two new projects aimed at promoting businesses in the national park and getting gastronauts to come and visit.

The Yorkshire Dales Food Network aims to boost awareness of the huge variety of food producers in the Dales, while the Ales way project plans to encourage people to visit pubs in Upper Wharfedale.

The food network aims to improve trade by connecting members up with retailers, restaurants, accommodation providers and consumers within the national park.

It is led by a team of people who specialise in marketing, food production and hospitality and includes the setting up of a new website with the help of a £10,000 grant from the national park authority's Sustainable Development Fund (SDF).

Jamie Roberts, owner of Kilnsey Park, is a perfect fit for the network with a multi-faceted business, including farm shop,cafe and trout farm and supplier of trade.

"As a local food business one of our biggest challenges is being able to communicate directly with consumers, this project will enable us to connect with potential retail and trade customers much more effectively," he said.

Bruce Elsworth, chef director at the award-winning Angel Inn at Hetton, says he is passionate about using local produce wherever possible and in-season ingredients.

"Sometimes you can become isolated working in a professional kitchen... initiatives like this help us to collaborate with suppliers and get excited about new local producers that we might not otherwise find," he said.

Ian Smith, spokesman for the Yorkshire Dales Food Network, said: "The key to the success of the project is to get consumers involved as members – and the great thing is it's absolutely free.

"As we build the trade membership, we hope to be able to give discounts and other incentives at great places to eat, drink and stay in the Dales, thereby encouraging trade and helping people enjoy what's on offer."

He added that after trying to get the project off the ground for a number of years, it had finally been made possible with the SDF grant.

"Now it's up to businesses and consumers to take up the offer and help us make it a success," he said. "Without the funding we would not be able to offer free trade membership and hopefully after the free trial period business owners will see enough value to upgrade to a paid membership."

He added: "Many of the food businesses I talk to are too busy keeping up with the challenges of running their business to look at new opportunities. This will provide an opportunity for them to get their message out to customers and discover new suppliers."

Andrea Burden, the park's sustainable development officer, said: “This is a pilot project that aims to create a searchable, interactive, internet-based directory and network of local food producers connected to retailers, restaurants, hospitality businesses and consumers.

“It’s a fantastic chance to raise the profile of the national park as a visitor destination and to boost tourism-related businesses all at the same time."

To encourage businesses to sign up, those based in the national park are being offered a year's free membership.

Carl Lis, Craven councillor and the park's member champion for sustainable development, said the project fitted well into the aims of the authority.

“The National Park Management Plan contains a specific objective to improve the quality and value of farm produce and to promote local food. This project is a great way to help to do that.

“The website provides information on where to eat and buy locally produced food and where to stay."

And he added it was hoped that the network would eventually become self-funding from its membership, promotional activity and income from the website.

As the network grows, consumers will be able to access a whole range of offers and discounts from the best restaurants, pubs and shops in the region.

At the same time, the SDF has given £3,000 to another project that aims to encourage people in and around Ilkley, Skipton and neighbouring towns and cities to visit pubs throughout the Upper Wharfedale area of the National Park.

The Ales Way – Wharfedale’s Ale Trail was launched in 2014 and was originally funded by Wharfedale Brewery. Since then the Brewery has been working with the newly-formed Upper Wharfedale Community Interest Company (UWCIC), which raises funds for good causes in the area, to develop the project further.

The SDF cash will be used to create a range of promotional material including leaflets, posters, stamp cards, beer pump clips, and promotional t shirts, as well as updating the existing website: thealesway.com .

UWCIC spokesman Jonathan Shepherd said the grant would help the development of the project.

“It is not just a great tourist attraction but the alliance with Wharfedale Brewery and the hostelries serving their beers has helped to create a truly innovative community initiative," he said.

"The public can get involved and enjoy a great day out in the knowledge that every time they buy a pint of Wharfedale beer they are also making a contribution to the UWCIC’s coffers and, in turn, supporting good causes in the local area."

In addition to promoting the Ales Way all year round, plans are underway to create a special beer festival by bus towards the end of summer - a first for the country.

“The National Park Authority has a statutory duty to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park – and both these projects fit the bill," she said.

“They also help us to foster the economic and social wellbeing of local communities within the National Park by helping to improve the quality and value of farm produce and to promote local food.”

To find out more about the Yorkshire Dales Food Network visit eatthedales.co.uk, and for the Ales way trail visit: thealesway.com