REGIONAL food groups from across Scotland came together for the first time recently to discuss how they could work together to strengthen regional food and drink, as well as share common ambitions and challenges.

The event, organised by industry leadership body Scotland Food and Drink, took place over two days in Inverness and saw 16 different regional food groups attend.

The groups were encouraged to share their views on a variety of topics throughout the two-day event, including working together to achieve the goal of developing regional and island food and drink as outlined in the Ambition 2030 document, sharing best practice, and looking at their role in the development and implementation of a national food tourism strategy.

Participants will now work with Scotland Food and Drink and other support agencies to create an action plan to increase the consumption of regional food.

Project manager at Orkney Food and Drink, Edgar Balfour said: "It was really great to be able to both hear from what other areas in Scotland were doing in terms of developing their food and drink sectors, as well as letting folks know how we in Orkney Food and Drink have developed over the years. The different approaches for the quite different challenges and opportunities was certainly food for thought."

SFD industry development director Graham Young said: “Growing sales of regional food and drink is central to continuing the success of our industry and it was extremely positive to see the energy and appetite amongst the groups to be involved in these discussions.

“Clearly resource sits high on the agenda for those involved over the two days and there was a healthy debate on ways Scotland Food and Drink, Ambition 2030 and the new Scottish food tourism strategy could help in the long term," said Mr Young.

“As an example, food tourism is big business and every day, almost £3 million is spent on food and drink by visitors in Scotland and we are working with the regional food groups to understand how we can support them. The event was the first of its kind and overall it was a great success. There were many good points raised by the groups for SFD to take away and digest."