FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced £1million in funding to support a new education programme to teach children about Scotland’s food industry.

This move supports the drive towards educating children about where their food comes from, as well as promoting the variety of careers available within the industry. Priorities included in the programme include support for more farm visits via the Royal Highland Education Trust, as well as healthy cooking lessons and an effort to include locally produced, healthy food on school menus.

The programme will be delivered collaboratively between RHET, Soil Association, Scotland Food and Drink and Education Scotland and Food for Thought; which is a food programme which has already been running for several years, providing funding to support schools in teaching children about growing and cooking healthy food.

The First Minister commented on the funding announcement: “Scottish produce is enjoyed across the globe and Scots work in many of the world’s finest kitchens. I want people to enjoy our quality food, but I also want children and young people growing up here to benefit from it too.

“The Good Food Futures programme will help more children understand where their food comes from as well as benefit from it in their school meals,” she continued. “It will also encourage more young people to consider a career in the industry. In introducing more of our produce to children and young people, we will help farmers, food producers, manufacturers and businesses benefit in the longer term too."