Online farmers’ market gong

A Stirling food collection project has received recognition in the 2018 Scottish Rural Innovators Awards.

Run by charity Forth Environment Link, Stirling Neighbour Food, formerly Stirling Food Assembly, is an online farmers’ market which runs collections every Thursday evening between 4.30pm and 6.30pm at Stirling High School.

It has been named as an outstanding rural innovation in the awards, organised by Scottish Rural Action and held every two years.

Along with other winning projects, it will be showcased at the Scottish Rural Parliament held in Stranraer from November 14-16.

Emily Harvey, from Forth Environment Link, said:“This award reflects the commitment of our producers and customers over the past two years to supporting local and sustainable food.”

Other winners include: Balquhidder Community Broadband, Balquhidder Glen; Brechin HealthWatch; Kirrie Connections from Kirriemuir, and The Mountains and the People based in Balloch.

The winners each receive a fully-funded place at the Scottish Rural Parliament to present their project to delegates.

Scottish Rural Action chief executive Emma Cooper said:“Each one of these projects demonstrates how communities can take action to address the challenges and opportunities their particular communities face. They are examples of rural community empowerment.”