Growing our local food businesses and networks benefits all of us. So there’s plenty of support available.
To businesses and communities. To consumers. To tourism. To the environment. To the economy. And, therefore, to all of us.
Because of that, regional food growth is a priority for the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership, and a key element in our Home Advantage strategy.
We’re also working with the tourism sector to help deliver the Food Tourism Scotland strategy.
To do this, we’re building on the groundwork done by the Connect Local programme which finished in 2020.
Working with Scotland Food & Drink and regional food groups can:
Stepping outside your business on a learning journey, through visiting and experiencing how peers in another location operate, can be a powerful experience for all involved, with benefits including shared knowledge; product development; personal growth and collaboration.
This guide, produced in partnership with Karen Donnelly Associates, set out everything you need to know to plan and deliver a successful learning journey, whether you’re a food, drink or tourism business; regional food group; destination organisation or individual. We hope you find it useful.
Read: A guide to developing & managing learning journeys
Food and drink trails can be a powerful way for destinations to share their distinctive food and drink story with the world; inspire visitors to travel; increase participation in your local food and drink experiences; boost expenditure on food and drink and generate solid economic impact for your area.
In partnership with Tina O’Dwyer, The Tourism Space, here you'll find a guide full of practical hints and tips to help you create, develop and manage successful food and drink trails. Whether you have an existing trail or are thinking about setting up a new one, this guide is for you.
Before reading it, have a listen to this brief video by Tina, who will set the scene and inspire you on your food and drink trail journey!
Read: Food and Drink Trails GuideSupport your regional food group and businesses, share in their success and learn from what others are doing.
At the heart of local food growth are our 18 regional food groups, supporting businesses across Scotland.
Could you help to lead and inspire our local food tourism growth? And raise our profile as a food tourism destination? We were looking for ambassadors across Scotland and this could be you.
Are you involved in a collaborative initiative that promotes and celebrates regional food and drink? If so, the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership Regional Food Fund may be able to offer you funding.
Connecting you with food and drink producers from around Scotland. From bread to beer and fish to fresh produce. Shop local and support businesses in your local area.
During the Covid-19 lockdown, many consumers started buying more local produce. Which means that now – more than ever – could be a great time for your business to tap into regional markets.
Industry leadership body, Scotland Food & Drink, has created a new £250k fund to support the ongoing development of Scotland’s regional food groups.
£250k funding boost for Scottish regional food groupsFor general questions about regional food and drink networks and support, contact Fiona Richmond, Head of Regional Food, on fiona@foodanddrink.scot
