The Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation (FPMC) grant scheme has provided funding for 16 Scottish food and drink projects, consisting of: butchers, pie manufacturers, food processors and farmers.

The successful projects will share a percentage of £5.8 million enabling food processing companies to improve, extend or build new facilities. A total of 92 new jobs will be created, while 1,200 existing posts will be safeguarded.

Announcing the awards ahead of the Royal Highland Show, cabinet secretary for the Rural Economy Fergus Ewing says, “Whether it’s salmon, dairy or whisky our food and drink industry is world renowned and these latest grants will enable 16 more food and drink companies to expand their operations in response to growing demand for our wonderful larder.”

Robert Corrigan, managing director of Mr. C’s Hand Crafted Pies ltd comments, “Without adding this range of equipment, we were unable to substantially grow the business as the additional smaller range of pies cannot be made manually, and only this type of equipment would enable us to target new markets and expand within our existing markets. The grant funding allowed us to buy the equipment and will also enable us to create new jobs.”