Shillong June 19: Meghalaya will host the North East Food Show in December this year with an objective of bringing the world to the North Eastern Region to witness the rich indigenous food products, and also take the region to the world.

Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong announced this after chairing the 1st Advisory Council meeting of the North East Food Show at Hotel Pinewood on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters, Tynsong said that the food show would be organized by the Meghalaya government with the support of Salon Internation de l’Agroalimentaire (SIAL) at NEHU campus Shillong between 4th and 6th December, this year.

The 1st Advisory Council meeting discussed several issues relating to the conduct of the food show and several suggestions were shared among the partners to successfully organize the mega event. The meeting was attended by SIAL Paris and SIAL India, Director Adeline Vancauwelaert, Chairman of the Meghalaya State Farmers’ Empowerment Commission, K.N. Kumar, officials from the department of Agriculture and Horticulture, besides representatives of various food based industries and organizations within the hospitality sector, and associations related to food sector, and local entrepreneurs promoting various local food products.

SIAL Paris and SIAL India, Director Adeline Vancauwelaert said that through this partnership, it is sought to bring together, showcase and introduce the food and food products of the North East to the global audience.

The North Food Show will have activities which include chef competition, food tourism- local cuisine, SIAL tech, innovation conference, hotel purchase managers’ conference, importers conference, fruit wine tasting, besides other activities.

Adeline also said that the food show would promote Meghalaya products and other states in the North East in India and the world.

She also said that the event would boost food processing, hospitality and food products and encourage tourism which will put Meghalaya in global map.

Chairman of the Meghalaya State Farmers’ Empowerment Commission, K.N. Kumar said that SIAL which has existed for over 50 years, is a global food networking organization and through this North East Food Show, SIAL is creating opportunity for India and states in the North East in particular to showcase its products to the world.

“This will also create networks and our farmers will benefit indirectly as the demand for their products will also increase after finding markets globally,” Kumar said.

Kumar also pointed out how fruits and vegetables in Meghalaya get wasted every year for want of food processing units which brought losses to farmers especially in the hills.

He said that the Meghalaya government is looking at small processing unit that local entrepreneurs should start in various places instead of having big unit.

Kumar also said that the mega food fest will bring benefit to the Northeast in the form of tourism and business for the locals especially local entrepreneurs.

Kumar informed that the Meghalaya has planned to make the North East Food Show an annual event and the state government has moved to Central government for financial support, besides support from SIAL.