Dumfries & Galloway Food and Drink Forum has secured funding to champion local produce.
The group, which is also supported by FDF Scotland and Developing the Young Workforce Dumfries and Galloway, is receiving the funding from industry leadership body, Scotland Food & Drink. It is part of a new national £250k fund, backeed by the Scottish Government, to support the ongoing development of Scotland’s regional food groups.
Over the next 12 months, Dumfries and Galloway Food and Drink Forum aims to strengthen and develop food and drink businesses in the local area, delivering on strategic projects to provide locally available, affordable food from the region that is underpinned by the circular economy at every step.
The south of Scotland region is home to food and drink producers of all shapes and sizes and its dairy, beef and seafood is highly regarded in top restaurants across the country.
The fund will benefit 15 groups across the country by resourcing coordinator posts and will include match-funding from partners including local authorities. It aims to create an active network of regional ambassadors who work in conjunction with local authorities to promote regional food and drink and tourism strategies.
Regional food groups, like Dumfries & Galloway Food and Drink Forum, plan and deliver projects such as increasing consumption and supply of local produce; upskilling food and drink businesses; hosting events; improving digital developments and e-commerce with local companies and, crucially, developing food and drink tourism.
Ruaridh Hesketh, chair of Dumfries & Galloway Food and Drink Forum, said: “Covid-19 has had a profound impact on Dumfries & Galloway’s food and drink and tourism industries and we are very aware of the constant challenges faced by businesses across the region. Now, more than ever, it is important to support our food and drink and tourism businesses to ensure visitors to the region get the very best of what Dumfries & Galloway has to offer.
“The funding from Scotland Food & Drink will help us do just that, driving our food story as part of the wider south of Scotland context and building demand for sustainable food tourism.”
Fiona Richmond, head of regional food at Scotland Food & Drink, said: “Regional food groups like Dumfries & Galloway Food and Drink Forum have a pivotal role to play in the successful growth and development of our country’s food, drink and food tourism sectors, especially in the recovery from Covid-19.
"With this new funding, our aim is to build a strong network of groups and give them the recognition and backing they deserve.”
