Applications open for £10.2m Scots food and drink funding

Applications are open for a fund to support Scottish food and drink producers and suppliers to invest in their businesses.

The annual Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Grant Scheme is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme.

It offers new and existing businesses funding to:

• Develop or create food processing facilities, including buildings and equipment
• Market products in home and export markets
• Run pilot projects and feasibility studies
• Run co-operative ventures to ensure more value is retained by both farmers and growers
• Improve supply chain efficiency.

See also: So you want to… sell produce at a farmers market?

A total of £10.2m is available this financial year, up from £7.3m in 2021.

Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “As well as encouraging innovation and co-operation, the scheme will help sustain and create jobs in our rural communities which have been particularly hard hit by the damaging impact of Brexit.

“It will also help new and experienced exporters move into emerging markets to ensure long-term viability.

“The Covid-19 pandemic and the tragic events in Ukraine have underlined the need for a strong food supply chain, with growing consumer interest in food that is produced locally to a high standard.”

Applicants to the scheme must demonstrate the benefits their project will provide to the local economy.

This includes shortening supply chains, increasing use of local produce and markets, and benefitting the wider local economy.

Businesses will also be asked to demonstrate their commitment to the principles of fair work and outline the ways their proposed projects will contribute to net zero.

Previous successful applicants include:

• Fife-based The Buffalo Farm, which received funding to help diversify from buffalo meat to a range of buffalo dairy products
• Crafty Maltstersm, which was granted more than £144,000 towards the creation of a new maltings facility at its Auchtermuchty farm.

Applicants must make their submissions by midnight on Sunday 19 June and will be notified of the outcome in mid-August.

All projects awarded funding in this round must be completed, with all costs claimed, by 31 March 2023.

For more information, visit the Rural Payments website.