Food and drink

The current funding round for the Food Processing, Marketing and Cooperation (FPMC) scheme closes for applications on 5 March 2017.

The FPMC scheme can provide support to suppliers and producers to contribute to the Scottish Government’s overall vision for food and drink in the country, which is to be a Good Food Nation, where it is second nature to produce, buy, serve and eat fresh, healthy food.

Four Agriculture Champions have been appointed by the Scottish Government.

The Agriculture Champions will help develop an Agriculture Strategy to guide the long-term sustainable future for Scottish agriculture.

The four Agriculture Champions are:

Tyne Esk LEADER approved six projects in their first round of funding.

A total of £267,000 was awarded to the six projects, which include community, farm diversification and enterprise projects. The Tyne Esk LEADER programme covers Mid- and East Lothian.

You can find information on the approved projects below.

And you can find out more about the Jerba Campervans' project in their Case Study.

The 'Boosting businesses along the fisheries supply chain' event took place in Thessaloniki, Greece from 18-20 October 2016.

In this article, Shetland LEADER tell us about a couple of their recent activities - an event to promote and discuss walking in Shetland, and taking part in the popular Shetland Food Fair.

Walking event

The Shetland LEADER Local Action Group hosted an event on 19 October to promote and discuss walks and walking in Shetland. The event brought together representatives from community groups and agencies from across Shetland, providing an opportunity to discuss walking as a development activity.  

Dumfries and Galloway Local Action Group had their latest meeting on 17 November 2016 and approved three projects, awarding £178,949.95 in total. 

The projects awarded funding were:

Kirkcudbright Galleries Project | Applicant: Dumfries and Galloway Council 

Two projects have been awarded funding by the Orkney Fisheries Local Action Group.

A total of just over £179,000 has been awarded to the projects by the FLAG, which is responsible for administering the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and the Scottish Government.

The Orkney Shellfish Research Project, being run by Orkney Sustainable Fisheries, will see the continued development of locally led fishery research work through the employment of full-time marine scientists with fishermen at the centre of the process.