Support for food and drink sector

Businesses and projects celebrating locally produced food and drink can apply for a share of £100,000 of funding.

Grants of up to £5,000 from the Connect Local Regional Food Fund are available to support collaborative food and drink projects during their early stages.

Since 2018, the fund has awarded £259,000 to 57 innovative projects across Scotland, including supporting the Ethical Farming Conference, believed to be the first conference on the emerging ‘ethical’ farming sector, the Street Food Zone at the Stranraer Oyster Festival and the launch of a new St Andrews Street Market.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said:

“This fund has already played an important role in promoting and encouraging great local food initiatives. I am delighted a further £100,000 is now available to new collaborative businesses and projects to help promote Scotland’s world-leading food and drink sector.

“Not only do these grants help local food initiatives and local economies grow, they also promote the importance of locally produced food and drink and the environmental benefits of sourcing produce close to home.”

Connect Local Project Manager Ceri Ritchie said:

“The Regional Food Fund allows for vital support to help promote local food and drink in local communities.

“We are delighted to have additional funding in place so that we can continue to support regional events, networks and collaborative initiatives across the country, which we believe will deliver benefits to Scotland’s local food and drink sector over the long-term.”

Applications for the new round of funding open on 4 November 2019. The deadline to apply is midnight, 8 December 2019.

Background

The Connect Local Regional Food Fund (RFF) is a grant to support growth in Scotland's regional food and drink sector. Delivered by Connect Local and supported by the Scottish Government, this is a competitive fund and applicants can apply for grants up to a maximum of £5000.