Visitors to South Lincolnshire Food and Enterprise Zone open day got to see exploding marshmallows at Holbeach food innovation site.

Exploding marshmallows were just one of the tasty treats when visitors looked behind the scene at a national centre for food manufacturing.

An open day was held for the first time at the South Lincolnshire Food and Enterprise Zone site in Holbeach with some 130 interested people turning up.

The free event included food testing, goodie bags and fun activities along with the opportunity for residents to meet some of the businesses and see some of the labs in action.

Claire Hall, partnerships manager, said: “It was a really good event. Younger and older generations loved the food sensory food experiments - exploding marshmallows - they were both so interested.

“There was a nice turn out from the community who really enjoyed going round the site.

“Taking part in the activities gave an understanding about what goes on at the university.”

The site offers spaces and workshops with a range of support services tailored for the agriculture industry and combines advanced research, innovation, and skills development.

Simon Wright, regeneration and portfolio manager at Lincolnshire County Council said: “ It was a great opportunity for businesses based at the Enterprise Zone and other stakeholders to showcase their products, as well as for visitors to see first hand the important work being undertaken by the University of Lincoln to support the food supply chain.

“Everyone that attended the event said that it had been very interesting to see what goes on at the site.”

Visitors were also able to see some tractors and learn about the careers the site offers.

Claire said: “The site as a whole is the heart of the UK food valley and it is so exciting for Holbeach.

“It is so important to raise awareness about what is going on the site and for people to feel included and to involve them.

“It is so good for the community and within the food sector there are so many good opportunities on our doorsteps.”

With the success of the event there will be plans to bring it back annually.

Ms Hall said: “By opening our doors to the community more people will know what we do.

”We do hope that it encourages more people to come.

“What goes on is quite astounding in food tech, agritech and food innovation.”

Visit https://southlincolnshirefez.co.uk/ for further details.

What do you think? Post your comments below.