Food project funding

Food and drink projects have received funding of £8.8 million, creating over 250 jobs.

Yoghurt producers, micro-breweries and vegetable processors are among the 24 projects that have benefited from the latest two rounds of the Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation (FPMC) grant scheme.

Until now, the FPMC scheme has only been available to capital investment projects, but

has how been widened to accept non-capital projects such as marketing or promotional projects and workshops, feasibility studies or training.

On a visit to McQueen’s Dairies Ltd in Glasgow, which will receive funding to extend their processing facilities, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said:

“This scheme has been in full swing for over a year now and grant funding totalling £17.5m has now been injected by the Scottish Government to support various capital projects, in addition to private sector investment of around £65.4m, throughout Scotland.

“Our place in the European Union has been key to that success and that is another reason that we must protect it. Scotland’s food and drink industry is one of our major economic success stories. Our quality produce is known and loved at home and abroad and supporting new capital projects will ensure we maintain that well-deserved reputation.

“However it is important that we also stand ready to support the full range of projects that will help to take our food and drink sector to the next level in terms of maximising its potential to provide sustainable economic growth for rural businesses. I am therefore pleased to announce that the scheme is now open to projects that share our aspiration to cement Scotland’s reputation as a land of food and drink.”

Mick McQueen, MD of McQueen’s Dairies Ltd added:

“As a family company that prides itself on providing a traditional service that can meet the demands of modern day living, it’s vital that we continue to upgrade our dairy to meet the expectations of our growing customer base. This grant support from the Scottish Government & EU will enable us to enhance our product range and create new jobs.”