£15m fund launched to boost food production

A £15m government scheme is being launched to find cutting edge ideas that can increase food manufacturing efficiency, reduce waste and boost the economy.
Up to £15m in grants is on offer to bigger businesses to invest in projects that will increase the efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness of food processing and manufacturing. A further £500,000 will also be made available to small and medium-sized businesses, with grants of up to £25,000.
Announcing the project, farming minister Jim Paice said the money was being made available to unlock the huge potential of the UK farming, food and drink sector and help drive economic recovery.
“By getting businesses innovating and enhancing the UK’s reputation as a world class pioneer of new production and manufacturing techniques, the food and farming sector can be a real engine for growth.”
Two competitions – the Food Processing and Manufacturing Efficiency competition for large businesses and the Innovation for Growth in Agriculture, Food and Drink competition for medium and small-sized businesses, are being launched at the Farming Food and Innovation Summit in London on Wednesday (14 March).
The aim is to help the industry develop new ideas and products that improve food production and manufacturing while having less impact on the environment.
Previous recipients of this type of award have included a team at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, which used ultrasound to improve the quality and nutritional value of bread and cakes while making production more energy efficient.
Following the summit, there will be seven regional workshops across Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland later this month and in April where businesses can find out more about the competitions and their opening dates.