Eating tops the menu
JONATHAN GEDDES
The campaign to encourage healthy eating in Rutherglen has received a cash boost.
Last year, the Reformer reported that South Lanarkshire was lagging behind the national average in several key categories, including more than 60 per cent of adults being classed as overweight, while 30 per cent were obese.
The council has subsequently developed a food strategy plan, part of which involves the promotion of a Good Food Week in September.
It will focus on encouraging locals to buy and eat healthy,quality Scottish fayre.
Now, it has netted a £5000 grant from the Scottish Government towards that goal.
The funding is part of the Government’s connect local regional food fund, and was announced by rural affairs minister Mairi Gougeon, on a visit to I.J. Mellis Cheesemonger in Edinburgh.
Ms Gougeon said: “Innovative projects like this one in South Lanarkshire and others across
Scotland not only help local economies grow, they also promote the importance of locally produced food and drink and the environmental benefits of sourcing produce close to home.
“This fund helps collaborative groups create new opportunities for small businesses and producers and promotes Scotland’s worldleading food and drink sector.
“I have been hugely impressed by the standard and range of food and drink initiatives across Scotland.”
Chair of South Lanarkshire’s community and enterprise resources committee, Councillor John Anderson, added: “We are delighted to have received the grant.
“This funding will contribute to the implementation of the recently approved South Lanarkshire Good Food Strategy and in particular the objective to support the local food economy and creating more connections between the local food sector and South Lanarkshire residents and visitors.”
Since 2018, including this round, the fund has awarded £355,327 to 78 innovative projects throughout Scotland.