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Skye and Lochalsh Food Link Group

The Group

Skye & Lochalsh Food Link is a non-profit making organisation that serves the area's businesses and households by promoting and supplying local produce. It was established as part of the Food Futures project in order to pilot a local distribution service and has continued to grow since then. More information about Food Link and copies of its newsletters can be found on http://www.tastelocal.co.uk/skye/group-intro.html

Locally, its best-known aspect is the Food Link Van [link to Food Link Van page] which has been instrumental in developing the local food economy. However, it has been instrumental in establishing many different initiatives and projects, including attendance at the annual local hospitality trade show and at local agricultural shows.

It has established and runs the 'Great Taste of Skye & Lochalsh', an awards scheme to promote and celebrate the use of local food and drink. The group also organised 'Incredible Edibles' and a very successful Christmas Food & Craft Market in 2006.

How it works

Membership of the group is open to anyone interested in supporting local food and drink. There are three types of membership - for producers and for customers (at basic or full levels) and supporters. There is a fee for membership which contributes towards the costs of running the group and the two different fee levels give different benefits. Essentially, it is about promotion of local food and drink and initiatives to raise the profile of the industry.

A Taste of Local Food Awards

'A Taste of Local Food' Awards are presented annually to all businesses which have a high usage of local food, so that the public can identify where to buy and enjoy the finest, freshest locally produced foods.

Producer members of the Food Link Group can nominate businesses or organisations for the five different categories - restaurant, hotel, bed and breakfast, retailer and school. The awards also work as an accreditation scheme to recognise those businesses that support local food producers by using their produce. The awards are based on the last year's business and individually designed awards went to the overall highest user in each category. The awards are presented annually and accreditation plaques, bearing the new 'A Taste of Local Food' logo, presented to award winners and the top local food users. All regular purchasers receive 'A Taste of Local Food' certificate