Forth Valley Producer News

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forth valley producer news

	(847 Kb) 'Find it, Eat it' - A directory of local food in Forth Valley 2005/06 In August 2005, FVFL produced a new food directory which highlights over 40 businesses and projects that sell a range of food and drink that has been grown, harvested, processed and traded within the area.If you are a producer or grower who would like an entry into the next local food directory, or would like to promote your business via this website, please contact us with details.
LATEST NEWS	Open Day at Your Local Farm, Slamannan Your Local Farm is inviting the public along to an Open Day on Sunday, 1 June 2008 as part of Open Farm Sunday, and annual event organised by LEAF (Linking Environment & Farming) for everyone to enjoy the living and vibrant countryside. For further details contact Your Local Farm on 01324 851750 or email mail@yourlocalfarm.co.uk. (19 May 2008)
LATEST NEWS	Local Producer Warms to Chilli Request Following a call from FVFL to local growers to help a local chutney-maker, one of Stirling’s stalwart farmers has come to the rescue. Catherine Neil of Catherine’s Country Kitchen was faced with the problem of having no chillies for her red hot chilli chutneys, when her regular source in Stirling was unable to oblige this year. In stepped Daye Tucker of Carbeth Home Farm, Killearn, who is now growing chillies for Catherine. Catherine and Daye met at the Killearn Wee Green market in May to make arrangements. Catherine said, "I had a great time at the Killearn market - pity the next one will not be until July. I spoke to Daye and not only is she going to grow some chillies but I have persuaded her to grow some tomatoes especially yellow ones. I've never made a chutney or jam using yellow toms should be fun. Catherine continued, "The new chutney is Mushroom Muddley and it has been a goer. Not specifically a chutney but more a pickle that you can cook with. I think I should have been running a competition on Saturday [at the market] because all the ideas that were flowing on what to use it with was astounding. In beef olives, on top of steak/lamb/pork chops, with stir-fry and the best one was on toasted ciabbata (Italian bread!!!) with melted cheese." Daye said, "I recently joined the Smallholders Group and enjoy the networking aspect. Through FVFL network, I learned that Catherine had lost her supplier of chillies and was seeking a new one. We have a lengthy conservatory which could accommodate the growing of chilli plants, so I offered to give it a go. I confess my interest was not so much in the growing process as the desire to support and become a small link in the chain which produces a great local cottage product and set an example to other farmers and owners of land". (15 May 2008)
LATEST NEWS	Big Push for Local Produce in Wee County Ochil MSP, Keith Brown visited a number of local producers in April in his tour of Clackmannanshire. Among the businesses that he visited were, Ella Drinks Ltd, producers of the Bouvrage raspberry and blaeberry drinks, Gartmorn Farm’s free-range poultry, the Coffee Bothy at Blairlogie, Dollarbank Farm, Meadowend Farm and Devlin Butchers of Dollar, all of whom supply or sell Clackmannanshire-produced food. (Source: Alloa Advertiser, 3 April 2008) (15 May 2008)
LATEST NEWS	Scottish Food Fortnight 2008 Comes to Alva The Scottish Food Festival will take place on Sunday 21st September at Cochrane Park, Alva, Clackmannanshire. The event is the closing event of this year's Scottish Food Fortnight from 6th – 21st September. It is aimed at highlighting the importance of 'Scottish Ingredients within Food and Drink', and organisers, the Wee County Development Trust, are seeking to encourage producers, retailers and related tourism opportunities throughout Forth Valley to exhibit at the event. The event is mainly attended by family visitors, and 3000 visitors on the day are anticipated. To exhibit, a stand costs £65 - your stall will be built for you - and comes with a 6ft table (power can be provided at an additional £11 if required). Sponsors are also sought, and a quarter page advert in the official programme is offered for £45 or a half page for only £75. Contact Kat McLean on 08712 249730, email: kat@synergy-stars.com for information on the Alva event or visit http://scottishfoodfest.co.uk/. Scottish Food Fortnight celebrates Scottish food and drink that promotes the benefits of fresh, seasonal produce for Scottish people. If you would like to take part in the fortnight and need ideas for activities and events, visit the website at http://www.scottishfoodfortnight.co.uk or tel: 0131 335 0200, fax: 0131 335 0201, email: info@scottishfoodfortnight.co.uk. (Source: Synergy Stars)(15 May 2008)
LATEST NEWS	Scotland’s Growing Organic Alliance For any growers thinking of, or currently growing organic produce, the Organic Growers Alliance is a source of support to help keep the network of Scottish producers in touch with each other. It costs £25. Visit the website for technical information and a listing of events run by members, http://www.newoga.org.uk. (Source: Soil Association).(15 May 2008)
LATEST NEWS	Is Your Food Business Registered? The Food Standards Agency has launched a campaign to encourage food businesses to register with their local authority’s environmental health service, to help them run their business safely. Anyone setting up a new food business, or already running a business, is encouraged to visit the Agency's website for advice on how to do things the right way. (Source: http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2008/mar/campaign). (15 May 2008)
LATEST NEWS	'Show off at the Show' The Soil Association Scotland is inviting Forth Valley’s organic producers to join them at their stand at the Royal Highland Show this year from 19-22 June 2008. They are asking for 'living displays', as well as the usual contributions from producers such as dry goods, vegetables, textiles or beauty products. This offer is open to all organic producers, regardless of certification body. Display materials must arrive at the Soil Association Scotland office address by Tuesday 17 June 2007. For more information call Lyn Matheson on 0131 666 0847, lmatheson@soilassociation.org. (Source: Soil Association Scotland). (15 May 2008)
LATEST NEWS	Exhibitors Required for the BBC Good Food Show Scotland, 31 October – 1 November 2008 Oganisers of this year’s BBC Good Food Show Scotland are calling for local producers, retailers or caterers to be exhibitors. Space costs from £180 - £200 per square metre. Last year, the event attracted over 16,000 visitors, giving the show an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5. If interested in taking a stand, contact Maggie Mitchell, BBC Good Food Show Scotland, 2 Back Row, Croftouterly, Leslie, KY6 3DT, tel: 01592 564102, fax: 0870 041 1310, mob: 0773 979 6376, email: maggie.mitchell@haymarket.com, web: http://www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com. (Source: Haymarket.com). (15 May 2008)
	Free-range Chicken Suppliers Wanted A Kippen butcher is looking to source free-range chickens from local producers. If anyone is able to help, please contact T & R Skinner, Butchers on 07775 665561, 01786 870203 or email cammyskinner@tiscali.co.uk. (4 March 2008)
	Beekeepers Swarm to New Course A record number of people have signed up to the Dunblane & Stirling Beekeepers’ Association (DSBA) beginners’ beekeeping course this year. 30 people are attending course in Falkirk to learn about setting up and managing a hive. For further details contact the secretary, Peter Hunt email pd dot hunt at virgin dot net or visit www.dsbka.co.uk/. (Source: DSBA) (4 March 2008)
	Scottish Rural Development Plan (SRDP) FVFL attended the recent SRDP public meeting for potential applicants in Bridge of Allan. The SRDP offers individuals, community groups and businesses an excellent opportunity to fund food-related enterprises and activities. (4 March 2008)
	TERMS for Enterprise Development in the Trossachs Could your food business or business idea benefit from the Trossachs Enterprise & Rural Mentoring Scheme (TERMS). TERMS is a pilot project launched to support start-up and rural businesses throughout the Trossachs area, and encouraging young people to go into business. Experienced mentors can support people to develop their own business. Visit: www.ruralmentoring.co.uk (Source: Stirling Eye, Winter 2008) (4 March 2008)
	Smallholders set programme of activities An exciting and informative programme of activities for 2008 has been planned by the newly-formed Forth Valley & West Fife Smallholders Association. The programme will get off to a good start on 20 February, when group member Marius Kiemer, will give a presentation on his experience of developing and installing micro-renewable energy systems on his smallholding. This will be followed in March, by a visit to a smallholding / business which breeds Highland Cattle, and in June, a visit will be arranged to an organic farm and farm shop in Fife, and the Royal Highland Show. Socials will also be included as essential diary dates. Future activities to be considered will be the establishment of an equipment pool and a library, bulk purchasing, training events, mentoring new smallholders, keeping up-to-date with farming regulations and other requirements for smallholders, and inviting experts to talk on subjects of interest. Anyone who is a smallholder, or has an interest in smallholding, is welcome to join the group or attend the events. Individual membership is £10 per year. To join, or to find out more information, please contact Rosemary Champion on 01259 729889, or email: rosemary@accidentalsmallholder.net. (4 February 2008)
	Funding Boost For Rural Business & Enterprise New and existing businesses in the rural Stirling locality may soon be in a position to benefit from a new funding programme soon to be launched by Scottish Government. The Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) is in the final stages of approval and should hopefully be given the green light by Europe in the coming weeks. The Programme replaces the previous SEERAD Farm Business Development Scheme - and has been widened to encompass 'rural business and enterprise'. Projects that meet with the criteria outlined within the Regional Priorities for the Forth area (which Stirlingshire falls within) are eligible to apply for uncapped, match funding for their proposed project. A series of 21 public meetings to publicise the programme are currently being rolled out across Scotland. A meeting will take place in Stirling on Tues, 5th February at the Royal Hotel, Bridge of Allan from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Those interested in learning more about the Programme are encouraged to attend. Further information on SRDP can be accessed via the Scottish Government website www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Rural/SRDP. For further information on the Scottish Rural Development Programme - as well as additional advice and support that may be available from Business Gateway and other partner agencies - please contact Caroline Brown on Tel: 01786 463416 or e-mail cbrown@stirling-enterprise.co.uk. (4 February 2008)
	WANTED - The Apples (and Pears) in Your Gardens & Orchards FVFL is co-ordinating the collection of surplus apples for Peelwalls Cider Ltd, who is looking for any variety of Scottish apples (cooking or dessert) for their cider production business in the Borders. If anyone in the Clackmannanshire, Stirling, Falkirk areas has surplus apples or pears, you can turn your crop into cash. Payment is offered at the current rate per tonne. You don't even have to lift a finger, as Peelwalls will pick the crop, and collect it from you! Contact Diane at FVFL on 0870 4711 750 or email diane@fvfl.org.uk if you would like to be put in touch with Peelwalls. (24 October 2007)
	Big Plans for Smallholders A new Smallholders Association for Forth Valley (covering Stirling, Falkirk & Clackmannanshire) and West Fife, is in the process of being established by a Clackmannanshire smallholder, Rosemary Champion, who is keen to set up a group for smallholders to share their interest in growing and rearing food as naturally as possible. The focus would be on these areas but anyone would be welcome to join. Smallholders' associations operate throughout the UK, but it is thought that there are none in the local area. Some suggested activities that the group could include are: advice and support; social meetings and events with guest speakers; seed and plant exchange; for sale / wanted; an equipment pool; a stall at Farmers' Markets to sell surplus produce; and members' discounts at suppliers. Other ideas would be very welcome. There will be an inaugural meeting in October with a date and venue to be set and to suit most people. To register your interest, please contact Rosemary on 01259 729889, email: rosemary@accidentalsmallholder.net or visit her website at www.accidentalsmallholder.net. (24 October 2007)
	Buy-Local.net Franchising Opportunity Buy-Local.net is a company supplying quality Local, Organic and Free Range products to residential customers and gastro-pubs, and is looking to find franchise partners to help spread the buy-LOCAL message. Contact: Lisa & Rick Sanderson, Tel/Fax: 01234 302325, email: info@buy-local.net, web: www.buy-local.net. (24 October 2007)
	LEADER Programme in Forth Valley Update The local LEADER+ area has recently been extended from the Loch Lomond and Stirling rural areas to cover rural areas of Clackmannanshire and Falkirk. The LEADER+ Local Action Group has submitted an interest in developing a business plan and development strategy, to the Scottish Government. The strategy will be submitted at the end of October, so if there are any businesses or communities wishing to secure funding for business / project development, now is the time to put forward your project ideas to be included in the plan. The programme will run to 2013 and forms part of the Scottish Rural Development Plan. The chosen themes are: Revitalising Communities and Conservation of the Rural Environment, and projects must support innovation, new ideas, and provide wide community benefit. Up to 50% of costs will be available. There is also a call for new members to sit on the Local Action Group. For further details contact: Anne-Michelle Ketteridge, Rural Affairs Executive, Tourism Marketing and Rural Development, Environment Services, Stirling Council on 01786 443123, email: ketteridgea@stirling.gov.uk, web: http://www.fvl.org.uk/. (24 October 2007)
	Online Survey: Learning preferences of landbased SMEs Oatridge College is carrying out a study into the learning preferences of employers and sole traders working in the landbased industries across Scotland. The study seeks employers’ views on how best Oatridge College can tailor the delivery of its training provision to meet their needs more effectively. Specifically the survey will try to find out if online learning methods could provide an answer for businesses in the more rural and remote areas of Scotland, or where employers find it difficult to spare time away from the business. It will also gauge their wider learning preferences, and offer a chance to comment on possible solutions designed to help improve access to skills/knowledge updating and business development training. The survey should take no more than 20 – 30mins to complete (there are 29 questions in all). The survey can be completed at: www.keysurvey.co.uk/survey/168817/190d/. Contact: Chris Wond on 01506 864800, Mobile: 07768 433087 e-mail: cwond@oatridge.ac.uk, web: www.liss-scotland.org.uk, Oatridge College website: www.oatridge.ac.uk.(24 October 2007)
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