24 February 2021

North-East MSPs Urge Food and Drink Sector to Apply for Funding

North-East MSPs are urging food and drink projects to apply for a new Scottish Government fund launched to celebrate locally sourced produce food and drink.

It comes after the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership was launched to help the sector with its recovery from COVID as well as to prepare for Brexit.

It is supported by £5million from Scottish Government and in the following year an additional £50 million will be provided.

Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin and Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson have both welcomed the funding.

Grants of up to £5000 are available to applicants and the deadline to apply is the March 15th.

Commenting, Gillian Martin MSP said:

“Our world-class food and drink sector has faced an extremely challenging year, so this funding - which will contribute to its recovery from Covid-19 - comes at an important time.

“Between Brexit and COVID-19, there are very few food and drink businesses which haven’t been seriously affected - but it’s vital our food and drink industry keeps growing and bringing benefits to Scotland and the north-east.”

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“This money will play an important role in promoting food and drink in local communities and delivering benefits to Scotland’s local food and drink sector over the long-term.

“I’d encourage all eligible groups and businesses in Aberdeenshire to apply before the deadline on 15th March.”