Celebrating local produce

An initiative to help drive projects that celebrate locally sourced and produced food and drink has reopened for applications.

The Scotland Food & Drink Partnership’s Regional Food Fund aims to support the food and drink sector’s recovery from coronavirus (COVID-19) with £100,000 of Scottish Government funding. The fund is part of the Food and Drink Recovery plan and will be managed by Scotland Food & Drink with grants of up to £5,000 available to applicants.

Since 2018 the fund has awarded £355,327 to 79 creative, innovative & collaborative projects across the regions of Scotland.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said:

“Scotland is home to much of the world’s greatest produce and we must do all we can to protect and promote it. We are continuing to work closely with the sector to support it through this economic crisis. We expect that there will be high demand for this fund and I would encourage eligible groups and businesses to apply.

“The Scotland Food & Drink Partnership launched the Food and Drink Recovery Plan to help the sector with its recovery from COVID and prepare for Brexit, supported by £5 million from Scottish Government for 2020/21. We are providing an additional £5 million over 2021/22. This funding will help Scotland Food & Drink and industry partners to come together to work on fairer, greener and sustainable solutions to the challenges that lie ahead.”

Fiona Richmond, Head of Regional Food at Scotland Food & Drink, said:

“The Scotland Food & Drink Partnership Regional Food Fund allows for vital support to promote and encourage great local food initiatives.

“The Regional Food Fund has already played 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.

“The funding has come at an important time and allows us to continue to support regional activities, networks and collaborative initiatives across the country and aid the sector’s recovery from a devastating 12 months.”

Background

Regional Food Fund information and application

The deadline for applications is 15 March 2021.

Who can apply?

• individual businesses in the food and drink sector, including primary producers, on behalf of a collaborative group or project

• regional and community groups (both rural and urban)

• individuals on behalf of a collaborative group or project

Food and drink recovery plan

Undoing damage and creating stability