Made in Lochaber gives small businesses a foot in the door
MADE in Lochaber ran a local food and drink trade fair on Thursday.
The event, held in Ben Nevis Distillery, was organised in association with Lochaber Chamber of Commerce, with funding from the Community Food Fund.
Joanne Matheson of Made in Lochaber told The Oban Times that the aim of the fair was to ‘encourage local businesses to prioritise local produce in business’ and help smaller businesses to start up and provide them with ‘new routes-to-market for their products’.
There were a range of small and micro food and drink businesses present, as well as some craft stalls.
Glenuig Inn gave a presentation on its new food into fuel project, whereby all its food waste gets recycled and turned into fuel pellets.
Zero Waste Lochaber was also present, talking to businesses about ways to reduce waste.
Adam Veitch has recently started up doughies, a sourdough micro bakery from Muirshearlich and this was his first trade event.
He said: ‘It’s been really good, I’ve met businesses that will take some bread and there’s been quite a lot of individuals as well.’
Sophie Yorke was one o the representatives for Ardnamurchan Distillery.
She said the event was a ‘good experience’ and she had made contact with local businesses and B&Bs as well as people looking to bake cakes with their whisky in them.
Speaking about the turnout of the fair, she added: ‘It’s been constant all day.
‘There’s not really been a quiet spell at all.’
Alison MacDonald was showcasing her hand-made chocolates for her company Chocolate Box.
She has been making the chocolates from home for the last two years and has only been producing full time since February this year.
She supplies for Gallery in the Fort and Deli Craft on Fort William High Street, as well as producing Ben Nevis whisky chocolates for the distillery itself.
She said: ‘For me, today is about showcasing different flavours and different shapes of chocolates and telling people the different things you can do with chocolate.
‘It’s been very successful. I don’t have a shop front so many locals haven’t heard of me. It’s been good to meet people and make myself known. It’s been very worthwhile.’