A total of 24 projects from across the country have been awarded funding of £110,000 to promote and showcase quality regional produce.

The latest round of the Regional Food Fund (RFF) was launched in April this year to support the development of local food and drink projects with grants of up to £5,000.

The fund is designed to contribute to the sector’s recovery from the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and raise the profile of local and regional produce.

Initiatives supported range from food and drink festivals and events to food tourism collaborations, online and physical markets to e-commerce such as Stranraer Oyster Festival, Clyde Island Gin Passport and Bowhouse Link.

Several of the country’s regional food groups will be delivering projects, such as farm vending by Bute Kitchen; promotional pop-ups by Appetite for Angus; a buy local campaign from Eat and Drink Dundee and food heritage project by Lanarkshire Larder.

“This is the third round of funding provided under the Regional Food Fund and I am pleased to see the involvement of such a diverse range of projects,” Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands Mairi Gougeon said.

“These collaborative projects will help showcase the incredible range of food and drink produced in Scotland delivering more unique and memorable eating and drinking experiences and provide further impetus to the sale of local produce, develop food tourism opportunities and contribute to recovery.”