Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Receive £554K Investment to Strengthen Local Food Production

To bolster the food, drink, farming, and fishing industries in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme has announced an investment of £554,800.

This funding aims to enhance the local economy, which relies heavily on these sectors for almost one in five of its jobs, by supporting the project Great Cornish Food.

Great Cornish Food, launched earlier this month and orchestrated by the team behind the award-winning Great Cornish Food Store in Truro, intends to elevate the resilience, success, and overall strength of local food producers. With an eye towards sustainability, the project’s goal is to establish Cornwall and Scilly as the UK’s leading region for low-impact food production.

This investment arrives at a pivotal moment for the UK food industry, which faces challenges from global food supply threats and subsidy reforms. It underscores the importance of fostering robust and sustainable domestic food production methods.

Ruth Huxley, the managing director of the Great Cornish Food Store and founder of Cornwall Food & Drink, emphasised the project’s ambition to showcase, sustain, and evolve the region’s food and drink industry. By incorporating clean and green practices, the project aims to set a benchmark for agri-food businesses to become best in class, addressing current challenges such as subsidy reform, decarbonisation, and cost pressures.

A significant portion of the funding will initiate a new grant scheme, offering up to £5,000 in match-funded grants to support eligible projects. This scheme is designed to provide businesses with essential skills, knowledge, and tools to enhance their performance, attract talent, and explore new markets.

In addition, the project will launch the Great Cornish Food Academy to inspire new talent and showcase the myriad of career opportunities within the industry to individuals of all ages, from students to those considering a career change. An awards scheme will also be introduced to celebrate and encourage excellence within the industry.

Cllr Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for the economy, highlighted the council’s commitment to supporting local businesses and industries through strategic investments like the Good Growth Programme. By focusing on the agri-food sector, the council aims to promote job creation, enhance food security, protect the environment, and bolster the regional economy’s resilience.

The Great Cornish Food project represents a collective effort to navigate the industry’s challenges and seize opportunities for growth and innovation. For more information on the project and how to get involved, interested parties are encouraged to visit their website.

This initiative not only reflects the region’s dedication to sustainability and economic growth but also its commitment to maintaining the high quality of local produce for which Cornwall and Scilly are renowned.