There are over 400 businesses employing 6,000 people in total in Barnsley which are related to the food industry, with employment being highest in bread, biscuit and cake products.

With such a high number of people being employed in the food and drink sector along with many graduates from both Sheffield and Leeds Universities, Barnsley has an experienced and skilled workforce.

There is an extremely strong research base surrounding biotechnology, a food industry dominant driver, with five universities in the region achieving 5 or 5* within this field. Research bodies and support groups which are driving forward innovation in the food and drink cluster include:

• The Procter Department of Food Science at the University of Leeds has recently been awarded a 5* rating for excellence in research.
  

• The Food Innovation Centre at Sheffield Hallam University carries out a wide range of technical projects and provides training courses to meet the needs of the food industry. Its aim is to help small to medium sized food companies in the North and Midlands regions of the UK to become more competitive.
  

• The Gordon Jopling Food Innovation Centre is a new state of the art food technology centre which will provide a major boost to new product development in the UK. The company works alongside most of the UK’s major food manufacturers creating innovative ingredients to help them develop successful new products.
  

The region's local economy is dedicated to supporting food companies, offering vital help and support to successfully expand your business. Many of the financial incentives available are designed specifically for companies which utilise high technology or companies in ‘fast growth’ industries, so the food industries are ideal as they fulfil both these requirements.

Companies in Barnsley within the Food & Drink cluster include:

• Manor Bakeries, part of Rank Hovis McDougall, the largest manufacturer in the growing £1 billion UK cake market and producer of some of the country’s most recognised cake brands, including Mr Kipling and Cadbury’s cakes.
  

• Fresh-Pak Chilled Foods Ltd, produces egg based products and is a subsidiary company of Perkins Foods Holdings Ltd, the leading European chilled, fresh and frozen foods manufacturer. The company has recently invested £7.5 million in a new plant in Barnsley, which includes the latest, state of the art manufacturing technology.
  

• Gordon Joplings Foods, a major importer and manufacturer of food ingredients for niche markets and major UK manufacturers.
  

• Anthony Alan Foods, a developer of products under license for Weight-Watchers and leading high street food suppliers.