Food project funding

Butchers, pie manufacturers, food processors and farmers are among 16 projects that have secured funding from the latest round of the Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation (FPMC) grant scheme.

The successful projects will share a slice of £5.8 million enabling food processing companies to improve, extend or build new facilities, helping to create 92 new jobs, while safeguarding over 1,200 others and boosting the industry.

Announcing the awards ahead of tomorrow’s Royal Highland Show, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy Fergus Ewing said:

“Whether it’s salmon, dairy or whisky our food and drink industry is world-renowned and these latest grants will enable sixteen more food and drink companies to expand their operations in response to growing demand for our wonderful larder.

“With the latest figures showing that our food and drink exports increased by over 11% in the first quarter of this year, today’s funding award of £5.8 million clearly demonstrates our continuing commitment to help food and drink companies large and small take their businesses to the next level, building on our reputation as a land of food and drink.”

Robert Corrigan, Managing Director of Mr. C’s Hand Crafted Pies Ltd said:

“Without adding this range of equipment, we were unable to substantially grow the business as the additional smaller range of pies cannot be made manually, and only this type of equipment would enable us to target new markets and expand within our existing markets. The grant funding allowed us to buy the equipment and will also enable us to create new jobs.”

Background

The Food Processing Marketing and Co-operation (FPMC) grants have channelled £71.2 million of financial support directly to over 230 Scottish food and drink processors since 2007.

The full list of successful bids is as follows: