Arran firms join top food and drink producers at Lowlands showcase
Two Arran firms joined more than 50 food and drink producers from the Lowlands which came together in Dumfries this week for a meet the supplier showcase event, Showcasing the Larder of the Lowlands.
Encompassing the Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Arran and East Lothian, the producers were seeking deals with more than 100 quality local, regional and national buyers from Scotland and the north of England who tasted the exceptional ingredients in the room.
They included the Taste of Arran collective and Arran Brewery, with Arran’s Food Journey, led by Cameron Bruce, helping with the organisation.
The event, at Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries, included cookery demonstrations from some of the region’s top chefs including Iain Gourlay of Cringletie House Hotel and David Jamieson, East Lothian food tourism ambassador and executive head chef of Archerfield Estate.
Designed to build relationships with buyers, introduce them to new products and secure future business, the event was delivered by Regional Food Groups (RFGs) and Regional Food Tourism Ambassador of the South, supported by Scotland Food & Drink (SF&D).
The Sourcing Scotland Regional programme is new to 2023, bringing together suppliers with buyers from retail, wholesale and food service to help grow the sales of Scottish products. Fiona Richmond, head of regional food at SF&D, said: “Opportunities such as Showcasing the Larder of the Lowlands give producers the chance to champion their produce and expand into new markets. Seeing the range of food and drink businesses at this event, and the buzz in the room, shows how much we have to offer across the regions of Scotland.”
The event was a tremendous success, building relationships between suppliers and buyers, and ultimately developing new commercial partnerships.