Providing a Jump Start for food and drink businesses.

Eat SW Scotland are delighted to launch a new programme for start-up food and drink businesses, in collaboration with Dumfries and Galloway Council. Thanks to a successful application to the Regional Food Fund, the programme will be run as a pilot to nurture aspiring food and drink business in Dumfries and Galloway.

This free programme will cover all the topics needed to grow a successful food and drink business from food safety standards to brands to sales channels. Every participant will be given a chance to trial their products in a retail outlet or a farmers’ markets. The programme will consist of two half days of face-to-face training as well as one to one support. The programme will culminate in a dragon’s den style pitch where applicants will be given the opportunity to present their product to the panel to try. The panel will consist of a wholesaler, an independent business, a food producer and a representative from the hospitality industry to give feedback and advice. Everyone who successfully completes the programme will receive a £500 grant to spend on their business.

Ruaridh Hesketh, Chair of Eat S W Scotland said: “The Jump Start program wants to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation within the food sector in the region. This is vitally important and allows the region to carry on its fantastic reputation as a leading food destination within Scotland.”

Councillor Katie Hagmann Chair of the Economy and Resources Committee commented: “Food and Drink is an important sector for the economy of D&G. We welcome more food business starting up and growing in the region and Jump Start gives any food and drink entrepreneur the best opportunity to be successful.”

Councillor Sean Marshall, Vice Chair of E&R Committee said “Dumfries and Galloway Council are pleased to support such an exciting programme. I look forward to seeing some new food and drink businesses beginning to develop and flourish.”

Any start up food business, or even those thinking of starting a food business, should

email marketing@eatswscotland.org to register your interest and a short application form will be sent out for you to complete.