Food And Drink Funding

22nd February 2020

Regional projects and businesses across Scotland have been awarded funding to promote locally sourced food and drink.

A total of 21 projects will share £95,550 from the Connect Local Regional Food Fund.

Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon announced the funding on a visit to I.J. Mellis Cheesemonger in Edinburgh where she met producers from Fine Cheesemakers of Scotland.

The group has been awarded £3,450 for a range of projects, including ways to promote cheese as a pairing to whisky at distillery visitor centres and in restaurants.

Ms Gougeon said:

"I have been hugely impressed by the standard and range of food and drink initiatives across Scotland.

"Innovative projects like these not only help local economies grow, they also promote the importance of locally produced food and drink and the environmental benefits of sourcing produce close to home.

"This fund helps collaborative groups such as Fine Cheesemakers of Scotland create new opportunities for small businesses and producers and promotes Scotland's world-leading food and drink sector."

Fine Cheesemakers of Scotland chair Jane Stewart said:"We are delighted to be a recipient of the Regional Food Fund Award. One of our objectives is to collaborate to raise awareness of the diverse range of artisan cheeses made across Scotland and this funding allows us to increase our marketing activity.

“We are proud to be producing award-winning cheeses and excited about targeting different sectors so more people have the opportunity to enjoy our wonderful cheeses, which are part of the diverse selection of food and drink Scotland has to offer the world."

The Connect Local Regional Food Fund (RFF) is a grant to support growth in Scotland's regional food and drink sector. Delivered by Connect Local and supported by the Scottish Government, applicants can apply for grants up to £5,000.

Since 2018, including this round, the fund has awarded £355,327 to 78 innovative projects

1 Ayrshire Food Hub 4900

2 Beer & Berries 4000

3 Bridge of Allan Food & Drink Town 5000

4 Building the profile of Scotland's Fine Cheesemakers 3450

5 Bute Kitchen 5000

6 Crail Food Trail 5000

7 Establishing a Highland Food & Drink Network 5000

8 Festival of the Sea 5000

9 Great Perthshire Picnic 2 5000

10 Huntly Hairst 1550

11 Lerwick fish market opening pop-up market 5000

12 Megginch Castle Neighbourfood Hub 5000

13 Moffat Eagle Festival 2000

14 Neighbourfood Blairgowrie and Rattray 5000

15 Outer Hebrides Food Tourism Strategy 5000

16 Platform Food & Makers Market 5000

17 ScotRumFest 2020 5000

18 South Lanarkshire Good Food and Drink Week 5000

19 Speyside Producers' Market 4650

20 Stirling Local Food Business Network 5000

21 Taste of Orkney Festival 5000

Total funding awarded = £95,550