Local Producer Event in Skye

Today me, abs and Verity (the doughies gang) attended “Rural Shops and Local Producers: a Local Supply Chain Event” at the impressive Sabhal Mor Ostaig venue on the Isle of Skye. The event was geared towards local food producers and retailers in Skye and the West Highlands.

We rattled out a few sourdoughs last night (a few tartine tasters and some hamelman hunks) to share, and although not particularly intending to sell (we left all the market gear at home) we didn’t come back with much!

Highlights for us:-

• David Lamb from SRUC introduced the community food fund, which might help towards Doughies future; the Think Local campaign was introduced with a few notable aims that caught our interest a) to create 25 new businesses in local food and drink and b) reduce food poverty in 5 of Scotland’s urban areas.
• Davie MacLeod from Highland Council introduced the highland food network, and verbalised the disconnect between primary producers and local providers.
• Sarah Mayall from the Plunkett Foundation introduced us to Gadsby wooden point of sale, some really geared towards bread and local produce.
• Coila Environmental Health helped confirm what we already doing with regard to EH and pointed out some interesting things regarding the selling of eggs beyond farm gate sales.
• Maria Scholten from SCF inspired with her Harris veg box scheme, and introduced a new SCF alternative food system pilot.
• Douglas Watson from SAOS gave a good background to farmers markets in Scotland; and helped wrap up the different threads from the day.
• We also met some nice people all with a passion for local food.
• Really excited at the opportunities for a sourdough bakehouse in Fort William serving Lochaber businesses – time to get doughies baking again. Let’s get the bakehouse built.