Food and drink

The fourth round of funding from the Connect Local Regional Food Fund (RFF) is currently open for applications.

The Connect Local RFF is a grant to support growth in Scotland's local/regional food and drink sector.

The fund will support projects and initiatives in Scotland which celebrate and promote locally sources and produced food and drink, in line with the priorities of Ambition 2030. 

Stirlingshire businesses, from butchers and bakers to local food makers, are invited to share their ideas for a new local food network.

Forth Valley & Lomond LEADER and Stirling Council want to hear from local food businesses across the Stirling region that are interested in working together to promote local food.

The line-up of speakers for the first-ever Scottish Highlands and Islands Rural Economy Conference -- the SHIREs Conference -- has been announced.

The Forth Valley Food Festival saw over 15,000 people enjoy a variety of events from foraging to farm tours over ten days.

The annual food trail and promotional campaign offered nearly 50 opportunities to enjoy Forth Valley's local larder at 12 locations across the region.

Forth Valley Food Festival is led by Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER. 

Douglas Johnston, Chair of the local LEADER programme said:

The first ever National Islands Plan for Scotland has been laid before the Scottish Parliament for consideration.

The proposed National Islands Plan provides a framework for action in order to meaningfully improve outcomes for Scotland's island communities.

​The second Forth Valley Food Festival has something for everyone -- from wild cocktails to foraged pizzas.

The festival takes place from 11-20 October during the October school break, with a host of activities to entertain the kids including pumpkin picking and exploring the kale maze at Arnprior Pumpkins to meeting the goats and foraging for your own pizza toppings at Gartur Stitch Farm in Port of Menteith.

Norette Ferns from the Scottish Rural Network Support Unit, blogs on some of the team's activities during September.

The last time I went foraging was circa 1988 picking brambles along the canalside in Inverness (if my memory serves me) to take back to my granny for jam making. (It was the best jam.)  I don't know my sorrel from my wild garlic, so it was fantastic to get along to the first-ever Scottish Wild Food Festival last month.

Businesses and projects across rural Scotland have been recognised at this year's Helping it Happen Awards, including a squirrel conservation project and a food hub.

The third Helping it Happen Award gala was held recently at the Sheraton Hotel in Edinburgh, hosted by Scottish Land & Estates which runs the awards. Compering the evening was presenter of BBC's Landward programme Anne Lundon.