Local venison supports those in food poverty across Sutherland
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An exciting new partnership has been formed that aims to help tackle food insecurity in Sutherland.
The initiative is being driven by the Country Food Trust (CFT), a national food poverty charity which aims to provide nutritious, locally sourced meals to those in need, in partnership with Ardgay Game, a family run business which has supplied high quality, wild Highland venison for over 40 years, and the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust (KoSDT), a charity with a track record for delivering high-impact social projects.
CFT, Ardgay Game, and KoSDT are working together to manufacture and distribute thousands of nutritious, protein rich, low-fat, venison based meals to food larders, charities and organisations that support individuals and families across Sutherland. It is hoped that this partnership represents a significant step towards alleviating food insecurity and promoting healthy eating in the area.
CFT, which has been successfully operating in England since 2015, is now developing networks to support Highland communities. The trust have developed a range of game-based nutritious meals served in ambient pouches, with a 12-month shelf life. Ardgay Game has made a generous donation of over 300kg of locally sourced, minced venison to CFT.
The Ardgay Game donation has produced over 3,000 pouches of the wild venison bolognese which have now been delivered to KoSDT for local use and distribution to food larders and other charities dealing with food insecurity across Sutherland.
As a partner in the Sutherland Community Partnership (SCP), KoSDT have coordinated the distribution of the meals well as distributing them through the Community Food Bothy in Ardgay. The meals have already been distributed to organisations in Brora, Dornoch, Golspie and Lairg and deliveries are scheduled to Assynt, Kinlochbervie, Tongue and Helmsdale in the coming days. This will result in locally sourced venison supporting individuals and families across the communities of Sutherland.
Ardgay Game managing director Ruaridh Waugh said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with CFT and KoSDT to help combat food poverty in the Highlands. Our commitment to this cause aligns perfectly with our values, and we are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need. By providing nutritious venison meals, we strive to ensure that individuals and families facing hardship can access healthy and sustaining food.”
CFT chief executive SJ Hunt commented “We are very grateful to the wonderful teams at Ardgay Game and KoSDT for supporting the Country Food Trust through this initiative. Food insecurity is a real issue for households across the UK, this generous donation is vital to alleviating this crisis.”
KoSDT manager David Watson said “We are delighted to play a part in this exciting partnership between the private and charitable sectors. Food insecurity is a very real issue in our rural communities and to be able to provide healthy and nutritious, locally sourced meals, to communities right across Sutherland, is a fantastic way to help deal with the issue. This project is a great example of partnership working at its very best.”
To sustain the initiative Ardgay Game is seeking donations and deer carcasses, which will be processed free of charge. To learn more, contact Miranda at Ardgay Game on 01863 766 162 or enquiries@ardgaygame.co.uk.
