The Scottish Executive is handing out new food grants totalling £2.1 million, much of it destined for fruit and vegetable suppliers.
Some 13 projects have been awarded funding under the fourth and latest round of the Food Processing, Marketing & Co-operation Grants (FPMC) scheme.
Angus Soft Fruits has been granted £189,046 for the purchase and installation of a new refrigeration plant and packing line to help the company keep up with growing demand for Scottish soft fruit.
And Branston Ltd has won £117,333 to modernise the potato production line at its Abernethy site, minimising waste and increasing sales.
Rural affairs and environment secretary Richard Lochhead said: “This latest round of funding will help strengthen Scotland’s reputation for having some of the finest, freshest produce. It is just part of the £75m investment that we are making in the food and drink industry over the next five years.
“Although the food and drink sector is bearing up remarkably well in the current climate, we remain determined to do all we can to support the industry.”
Branston Ltd general manager Eric Ritchie said: “We are a growing business and one that is incredibly focused on working in harmony with the environment, so being able to minimise waste and increase our saleable volume is a key objective. We are grateful that the Scottish government is supporting us.”
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