Small grants of around £5,000 each will be made available to promote Scottish produce. Recipients will include local food and drink producers, and regional food and drink networks, who traditionally can find funding difficult to attract.

Speaking at the Scotland Food & Drink Annual Conference on Friday 30 March 2018, Rural Secretary Fergus Ewing said:

“Scotland has some of the most diverse, instantly recognisable regionalised food and drink in the world – from Arbroath smokies, to Stornoway Black Pudding, Orkney cheese, Shetland Lamb, and whiskies from across the country – to name just a few. 

“It’s one of our key Programmes for Government commitments to promote locally sourced, and locally produced food. The success of those producers then helps to bolster regional economies, and ensures that local food and drink continues to be produced in the area it originates from – which can be integral to a product’s identity.  

“Last year a was record one for Scottish exports – with more than £6 billion of Scottish food and drink consumed worldwide. Given the continuing lack of clarification from the UK Government regarding our position with those international trading partners, post-Brexit, it’s more important than ever that we ensure a robust market at home for our regional food and drink producers.”

The fund will open for applications in May and be overseen by Scotland Food & Drink.

For more information go to www.scotlandfoodanddrink.org