New fund aims to promote local Scottish food and drink projects
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CASH grants of up to £5000 are up for grabs for projects using locally sourced food and drink.
A new Scottish Government fund has been launched to celebrate locally sourced produce, which follows on the heels of the launch of the Scotland Food and Drink Partnership designed to help the sector with its recovery from Covid as well as to prepare for Brexit.
It is supported by £5 million from Scottish Government and in the following year an additional £50 million will be provided.
Welcoming the move, Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson said: “This money will play an important role in promoting food and drink in local communities and delivering benefits to Scotland’s local food and drink sector over the long-term.
“I’d encourage all eligible groups and businesses in Moray and Aberdeenshire to apply before the deadline on March 15.”
His Aberdeenshire East colleague Gillian Martin MSP added: “Our world-class food and drink sector has faced an extremely challenging year, so this funding – which will contribute to its recovery from Covid-19 – comes at an important time.
“Between Brexit and Covid-19, there are very few food and drink businesses which haven’t been seriously affected, but it’s vital our food and drink industry keeps growing and bringing benefits to Scotland and the north-east.”
Applications are being welcomed from individual businesses in the food and drink sector, including primary producers, regional and community groups (both rural and urban) and individuals on behalf of a collaborative group or project.
The fund is specifically aimed at collaborative projects that: Contribute to the food and drink sector’s recovery from Covid-19; Contribute to the promotion and sales of regional produce; Develop food tourism; Benefit a region or community, not just one business; Can be delivered by December 31 2021; Celebrate local produce.
For more information, visit https://foodanddrink.scot/regional-food-growth/regional-food-fund/
