SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has welcomed £100,000 of funding from the Scottish Government to help local projects promote food products from their region and establish new markets.

The Isles’ MSP has said that the latest round of the Scottish Government’s Regional Food Fund will help showcase produce from the Eat Drink Hebrides Trail across Scotland and beyond.

Eat Drink Hebrides is among 22 local and collaborative initiatives throughout Scotland, including food festivals, food and drink trails, markets and online shops, who will benefit from the Regional Foods Fund with grants of up to £5,000 – continuing to support local food and drink businesses through the cost of living crisis.

Initiatives like the Regional Food Fund is just one way in which the Scottish Government is delivering for Scotland’s food and drink industry, as the sector continues to struggle in the aftermath of the Tory UK government’s botched Brexit deal.

Managed by Scotland Food & Drink, the fund from the SNP Government will help to support and grow local and regional economies by encouraging and growing the reach of projects like Eat Drink Hebrides.

Commenting, Alasdair Allan MSP said:

“I welcome this latest round of Regional Food funding from the Scottish Government, which underlines the SNP’s commitment to empowering local businesses and economies to grow and flourish.

“Scotland’s celebrated food and drink sector is a pillar of our nation’s economy and global image – for example through our world-famous whisky and seafood industries. It is right that every level of this sector receives the support it needs.

“While the Tory UK government have abandoned food and drink businesses in the Western Isles and the rest of Scotland, the Scottish Government is doing all it can to ensure local enterprises like Eat Drink Hebrides can continue promoting the best food and drink produce the Western Isles has to offer.”