Golspie man launches 'online larder' survey
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The new Highland Food and Drink Club (HFDC) have launched a survey to assist them in actioning the needs of the industry and its workers.
During the current climate which has left the food and drink sector fragile, the consumer journey has taken a sudden change. The HFDC are looking at ways to start their innovative journey to help businesses get back on their feet and thrive once we get through the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Highland Food and Drink Club will be an online larder, a directory offering its audience a signpost to exactly what quality food and drink produce exists within the Highlands and Moray. The club is a platform which will be a community for all, offers different levels of membership available to support the growth of the sector, and will be visible to a worldwide audience by the click of a button.
The current pandemic has seen a shift from people eating out to eating in while we are encouraged to stay at home. With restaurants, cafes and bars closed, many businesses have had to adapt to keep themselves alive. Research by the RetailX Coronavirus Consumer Confidence Tracker showed that 14.2 per cent of persons surveyed during March had increased their use of online grocery shopping, and 6.9 per cent had been ordering more takeout online. Respondents were aged 18 and above.
The initiative has been recognised and received support from the Scottish Government, with Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism saying: “Innovative projects like the Highland Food and Drink club help grow our local economies and promote the availability and importance of locally produced and locally sourced food and drink. In these challenging times, the local approach is even more important and I very much welcome the launch of their market research to help stand them in best shape for recovering from this crisis. I would encourage all food and drink producers in the Highlands to take part in the survey.
“The club is just one of 78 innovative projects we have supported through the Regional Food Fund and I have been hugely impressed by the standard and range of all of them. The fund is creating new opportunities for small businesses and producers and is helping to promote Scotland’s world-leading food and drink sector.”
John Murray of Golspie, co-owner of Highland Food and Drink Club, said: “I am delighted to see this project start on its long and very exciting journey. I am passionate about the food and drink sector and the Highlands and Islands – I am looking forward to being part of the team to create and leave a lasting legacy using my skills and connections.”
The team behind the club are calling all the food and drink businesses, whether a producer or in retail to take two to three minutes of their time to complete the survey (Find it at https://highlandfoodanddrinkclub.com/). Together, the club believes businesses can come back stronger, and by completing the survey this will assist the innovators behind the club to address where there is support needed.
