Scotland Food & Drink facts for kids

Scotland Food & Drink is an important group that helps the food and drink businesses in Scotland. It was started in 2007. Its main goal is to make the Scottish food and drink industry worth a lot more money, aiming for £30 billion by the year 2030. They also want to make sure Scotland is known as a great place for food and drink. This group gets money from its members and also from the Scottish Government. Every year, Scotland Food & Drink helps put together the Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight, which celebrates Scottish food and drink.

How Scotland Food & Drink Started

Scotland Food & Drink was created in June 2007. It was set up to bring together all the important parts of Scotland's food and drink world. This includes businesses, trade groups, and government agencies like Scottish Enterprise.

When the group first started, Richard Lochhead MSP was the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment. This job means he was a government leader in charge of farming and the environment for the Scottish Government. Since then, Scotland Food & Drink has created a big plan called "Ambition 2030." This plan aims to grow the industry to be worth £30 billion by the year 2030.

The first leader of Scotland Food & Drink was Paul McLaughlin. He left in August 2011. James Withers took over as the new leader in September 2011.

How Scotland Food & Drink Gets Money

Scotland Food & Drink is a group that its members pay to join. This means it gets money from the companies and people who are members. It also gets money from the Scottish Government to help with its work.

Who Are the Members?

People and businesses from all over the Scottish food and drink industry can be members. This includes farmers, shops that sell food, and other groups that support the industry. Members get different benefits and services. They can also help with big projects that benefit the whole industry.

A special group of leaders helps make sure everyone gets support. Some of the groups involved are:

• Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
• Dairy UK
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise
• National Farmers Union Scotland
• Quality Meat Scotland
• Scotch Whisky Association
• Scottish Agricultural College
• Scottish Food & Drink Federation
• Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation
• Seafood Scotland