Gordon MP Welcomes Boost to Local Produce

Published date : 25 February, 2021

SNP MP for Gordon, Richard Thomson, has welcomed the opening of a fund that celebrates locally sourced and produced food and drink, as part of an initiative from the Scottish Government which aims to develop regional food and drink projects across Scotland.

Applications are now open for the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership’s Regional Food Fund in place to aid the industry’s recovery from the Covid-19 crisis. The £100,000 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 and collaborative projects across Scotland.

Mr Thomson said: “I am immensely proud of the standard of the North East’s produce and as a nation we must do all we can to ensure our producers and manufacturers can thrive. I, therefore, welcome this financial support and I’d urge all eligible individuals, groups and businesses which can benefit to apply.

“The Scotland Food and Drink Recovery Plan launched by the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership will help the industry bounce back from Covid-19 and mitigate some of the impacts of Brexit. The Scottish Government is providing £5 million for the industry this year and an additional £5 million over 2021/22. That commitment to the industry can also help it develop greener and more sustainable moving forward.”

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.”

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

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