A heartfelt thank you to all the businesses, individuals, and stakeholders who contributed to the South of Scotland Food & Drink Landscape Assessment — through completing the survey, attending the Growing the Local Food & Drink Economy events in March, and generously sharing your experiences and ideas. Your input has helped surface vital insights into the opportunities and barriers facing the sector. The findings show that while the region is home to an incredibly passionate and diverse network of producers, 73% of respondents said they don’t know where to access or aren’t aware of what is produced locally — a clear signal that improved visibility, signposting, and storytelling are urgently needed. The assessment also highlighted a strong appetite for collaboration, but a lack of formal structures to enable it; challenges around distribution and procurement; and a call for better access to support, training, and market opportunities.

In response, we’ve developed a practical interim toolkit — featuring an A–Z directory of producers, four detailed case studies from across the South of Scotland, and inspiration from other regions — to make it easier to connect, collaborate, and grow. Clear recommendations have now been made to South of Scotland Enterprise and the Scottish Government, focusing on improving local sourcing, developing food tourism and agritourism, unlocking funding pathways, and strengthening pride in the region’s food and drink identity. This is just the beginning. With your continued involvement, we can build a more connected, confident, and resilient food and drink economy across the South of Scotland.