Small Scottish food producers are being offered a welcome financial boost thanks to a fresh round of government funding.
A total of £100,000 has been announced by the Scottish Government to support the sixth round of the Regional Food Fund.
The initiative is designed to help small food and drink businesses thrive while encouraging collaboration between producers, food groups and communities.
Grants of up to £5,000 are now available for projects that celebrate local produce and bolster Scotland’s growing food tourism scene.
The funding will help showcase the very best of what Scotland’s larder has to offer, from street markets and regional campaigns to food festivals and community-led initiatives.
The Regional Food Fund is run by the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership and is aimed at strengthening the nation’s food identity at a grassroots level.
Since 2021, over £500,000 has been awarded to 104 collaborative projects through the fund.
Previous recipients have used the money for everything from purchasing new equipment to launching local marketing campaigns and even producing creative artwork to bring in more customers.
The aim is to spotlight regional flavours while building sustainable connections between producers and local communities.
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon highlighted the value of the food and drink sector to Scotland’s economy.
She said the industry is worth £15 billion and plays a vital role as one of the country’s biggest employers.
She also stressed the importance of engaging with local markets to meet long-term growth ambitions across the sector.
Ms Gougeon praised the fund for giving small businesses a platform to showcase their goods and connect more deeply with their communities.
She said the initiative helps raise awareness of locally sourced food and allows Scotland’s unique culinary ventures to shine.
Head of Regional Food at Scotland Food & Drink, Fiona Richmond, said the variety of projects supported in past rounds has been inspiring.
She noted that everything from field-to-fork storytelling to regional collaborations has been funded, reflecting a clear appetite for local produce and authentic food experiences.
Ms Richmond added that the fund continues to strengthen Scotland’s reputation as a go-to destination for quality food and drink tourism.
Applications are now open for businesses looking to take part in this latest round of funding.
The fund is expected to attract a wide array of proposals that reflect the innovation and passion within Scotland’s regional food scene.
From farm shop revamps to coastal seafood trails, the possibilities are rich and rooted in place.
This latest investment underlines a growing commitment to local flavour and community-led enterprise in every corner of Scotland.
