The newly formed regional food group Experience Glasgow Food & Drink has secured funding from Scotland Food & Drink to champion local produce.
Experience Glasgow Food & Drink is an extension of Experience Glasgow, the umbrella organisation for the hospitality and tourism sector in the city and aims to grow its thriving food and drink network. Over the next 12 months the group aims to support food and drink businesses in the local area, delivering on strategic projects to raise the profile of the sector and work towards a recovery from Covid-19.
The group is receiving the funding from industry leadership body Scotland Food & Drink as part of an extension of the national £250k fund announced in September 2020 to support the ongoing development of Scotland’s regional food groups.
So far, the funding has benefited 16 groups across the country by building an active network of regional ambassadors who work in conjunction with local authorities to promote regional food and drink and tourism strategies.
Experience Glasgow Food & Drink is the latest regional group to secure funding from Scotland Food & Drink to develop their plans to grow the sector.
Anh Nguyen, Co-ordinator of Experience Glasgow Food & Drink, said:
“Glasgow is bursting with people displaying a passion for outstanding food and drink, with coffee roasters, bakers, beekeepers and distillers working alongside young chefs and enterprising restaurateurs.
“Glasgow’s food and drink businesses are the heart and soul of the city, they are a window into our local communities and tell the story of the city’s rich heritage and diversity.”
“They’re fighting for survival and need help now more than ever. These independent businesses are part of what makes Glasgow unique. We need to ensure we protect them so that they continue to inspire the next generation of growers, producers, manufacturers and chefs.”
Regional food groups, like Experience Glasgow Food & Drink, plan and deliver projects designed to increase consumption and supply of local produce; upskill food and drink businesses; host events; improve digital developments and e-commerce with local companies and, crucially, develop food and drink tourism.
Supporting regional food groups is a key pillar in Scotland Food & Drink’s UK Market Development ‘Home Advantage’ Strategy, which aims to achieve £17bn turnover from food and drink sales within the UK by 2030.
Fiona Richmond, Head of Regional Food at Scotland Food & Drink, said:
“Regional food groups like Experience Glasgow Food & Drink have a pivotal role to play in the successful growth and development of our country’s food, drink and food tourism sectors, especially in the recovery from Covid-19.
“With a combination of both long-established groups, those which are more recently formed, and some which are brand new, Scotland’s diverse mix of regional food groups all have energy, ambition and a commitment to championing their areas. Our aim is to build a strong network of groups and give them the recognition and backing they deserve.”
For further details on Experience Glasgow Food & Drink, please visit:
https://experienceglasgow.com/foodanddrink/
Further details about Scotland’s network of regional food groups can be found here
https://foodanddrink.scot/regional-food-growth/regional-food-groups/
