‘Good Food Nation’ drive for Scotland

The first ever recipients of the Scottish Government’s Good Food Nation funding have been announced with the aim of improving Scotland’s food culture.

The £250,000 fund, announced by Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing, will be shared across 14 projects, supporting community food growing, cafés, community and school food education, training and cooking skills and farm visits.

Ewing also announced a doubling of funding to implement the Scottish Grocers Federation’s Healthcare Retail Standard, part of the government’s health promotion framework for healthcare buildings.

Speaking at the Scottish Grocers Federation Conference in Edinburgh today, Ewing said: “Scotland’s Food and Drink industry has an international reputation which is based on the quality of our produce.

“Through Good Food Nation we are attempting to create a movement across civic Scotland that recognises how access to good quality, healthy food can support our wider efforts to reverse the trends around diet, obesity and health-related problems and reduce food waste.

“I’m delighted that today we are able to announce 14 successful applications for Good Food Nation funding. These projects range from education initiatives, farm visits, and community cookery classes and demonstrations. I’m sure they will be successful and I wish them well in their endeavours."