Ayrshire Food Network funding support from Scotland Food & Drink Regional Group Scheme

  The  Ayrshire Food Network    are  delighted to   confirm  today 18th  September  2020  that   we  have     been awarded  funding  from Scotland  Food and  Drink to  drive  foward the  local food  and tourism   agenda  in  Scotland .. and in  our  associated  region

 We are one  of  14  groups in  the country  to  receive  this support  which includes  match funding  from local authorities...

 see     https://foodanddrink.scot/news/250k-funding-boost-for-scottish-regional -food-groups/

  for  more details

 It  has   anabled   us   to   appoint  a Coordinator  who  will  be Sheena Horner    from  Food  From  Farming .. she  brings    a wealth  of experience     relating   to   rural  collaborations,  agri  tourism and social   media  , and has been  working with  several of our  members , individually , for  some time.

 More  detailed   information  relating   to   our  intended  programmes  and  regional  initiatives  will   be   announced  next week 

 thanks   for  your  support

#local food provision in Ayrshire during #Covid crisis updated 26th April

 hi  everyone ,

Five weeks  into the  domestic   lock  down, we would like to thank everyone for their continuing  support    and patience

 Simply  put, the #Ayrshirefoodnetwork   members  undertake  two  categories    of  activity       ..  food and drink  production;   and  food and drink  provision......some members  covered  both  viz farms with   restaurants,tea rooms etc

Government   regulations , the  national   medical   emergency, and personal safety considerations    have meant  many businesses have had to close, chosen to mothball   or curtail  in house  food provision,whilst   a minority    have been able to  ramp up   cooked food deliveries

Within  the food   producer  group, many    have    attempted  to    increase production to meet unprecedented  consumer demand ,whist at the same time switch away temporarily   from the downturn in food service / hospitality   demand ..... no mean   challenge

 Also by collaborating  with one another , they have been   willing  and in part   able    to   make  sustainable  levels of home deliveries  of   mixed selections  of  local  food, which are   in very   great demand , given the stay inside  guidance / instructions  and local   economic support  objective.

We have   fielded  many enquiries   as to what  is available  where  & when .....  as you can imagine    it is very fast moving   and   booking  /provision  availability changes  literally   from hour to hour  , or  even more frequently ..

There are  some  very effective  Facebook groups  in  particular  #Ayrshire food deliveries , Takeways,Supermarkets   who are acting   as person to person information hubs ....definitely     worth   following , in order to    check out  what may be  available  where  you or your   relatives  live

The   food producers   are   practicising    very   effetive  switch on /  switch off  ordering techniques  to  try  and manage demand against  their supply  and logistical capabilities  which in many instances are    very much  stretched   "  beyond  the normal  limit " ..so  please bear with   them   and   be flexible

 We hope   that we  will   all come   through  is .......   but  when that happens  please continue to  support   local food  producers and  providers   and help them rebuild   their  regular  or revamped     businesses

If you have  a  specific    question  please send it in   via the " contact  us"  enquiry  box ...we will do our  best  to provide  guidance   if  we can

thanks
 meanwhile   stay  at home  and  continue  to stay safe

Leap Year #BestofAyrshire Launch at @CloncairdCastle 29th February

  A unique   event  involving  #Collaboration  & #Partnership   within #Ayrshire .

. As  a member  of  the #AyrshireFoodNetwork  @CloncairdCastle  have  invited  8    members to be involved   in their #honestyboxscheme  being utilized  for the  self catering guests  in their  newly  refurbished  cottages

The AFN members involved include  principally #AyrshireMarketFresh  with   their  customised food selection  delivery   boxes  centred   on the freshest  of vegetables... also #littleturnberry  eggs ; #Dunlopdairy cheeses ;#Limetreelarder  chocolates, chutneys & ice cream ; #Mossgeil   organic milk  in glass  bottles;#Ballochmyle fine   cheese ;#Caldwellvegetables; & #Pieronis seafoodand fish merchants.

Much   inspiration  comes  from @Slowfood and the   #Arkoftaste

Other   AFN  members  have  or   are likely  to be  involved also , along with  circa   20   other    artisan  & craft   producers , and organisations...

 The   unique   ticketed  event  opening the castle and stunning   atrium   to the public   for the very first time is  being held    on saturday   29th   Feb between  10.00  and 18.00  .. tickets are   available    via  the  web site    http://www.cloncairdcastle.co.uk  and Eventbrite  and priced   at £10 .

  We hope to see  you there ..  please   come with your   friends and family   and   try, taste and buy these  exceptional   local  food    products  in an  exciting     setting   and environment

There  is so much more to   experience , and enjoy .@Cloncairdcastle ...,An  ideal way  to celebrate   a #Leapyear 

Ayrshire September sunshine & weekend festivities bring authentic local food and drink into focus

   Last   weekend    several  AFN   members were providing  excellent food and drink    at the Stranraer Oyster  festival , including #ADRattray;# Everything  Chilli; #Cedar Country Foods  whilst   a food demonstrations  was   given  by  #DavidAlexander from #Glenapp

 An estimated 17000  visitors  enjoyed the   exciting   festival   ....  certainly   a  excellent  showcase  for  south  west Scotland

#Glenapp Castle have   released  very recently  their latest  video    featuring   the amazing   #SeaSafari   experience

 Other   good news  includes  #LittleTurnberry  being awarded #Biosphere  certified  producer     status .warmest congratulations

#GCGrowers    is running     aan innovative     vegetable    education scheme,    and  the #TheHomeCookSchool   is expanding  their  community  cooking    initiatives

#AyrshireHampers has opened  in the last  two weeks  their   innovative    new  venue  and offerings   at #Kilmarnock  Railway  station.  including  having  produce   from #ThreepwoodFayre    and #BallochmyleFineCheese

 All   three  are   heading   for  #Newmilns  food  festival  this saturday 21st  september   along   with 50 other producers /providers and hosts   including  #Ayrshirefoodfromayrshirefolk;#Everythingchilli ;#rhonecottage ;#limetreelarder;#scotchandco;#mossgeil;#cedarcountyfoods

 It is going to be   a very  busy  weekend especially with  the #AyrGoldCup  horse race  meeting     bringing many visitors  to the area.

 Hopefully#DunlopDairy  will  benefit  from the hospitality  offerings,  and #Bhailebakery   will  see  increased  visitors  in their 4 outlets  aswell as  greater product usage   for #ramstanesfarm &#CorrieMains as partners,  #WAEgrant   meeting  vegetable   and fruit demand ,  and the #Ayrshire farmersmarket in #kilmarnock   plus  #Pieronis  & #Fencebay  with  their  exciting  wide ranges of seafood ;  The  attractive #Thelairdstable  in #Fenwick  now  has  their  innovative   high walkway  as an additional attraction

looking into October    good luck  to #Woodysicecream  in their  #ACCI   business awards quest  whilst  on the  24th   september #CorneyandBarrow hold  their themed dinner   at #Mcfarlanes

For our     members  such as #TheCooshed  and #Auchengree  farm shop  plus  associates   at #ABBA , providing  hospitality     and accommodation  may you have  a very productive & busy  weekend in the sunshine. Our  exclusive   use   venues   at#Hillhouse    and #EnochLodge  will  without  doubt  be  providing   exemplary   service  to  their   discerning   clients ...also the  exceptional  Michelin Star  restaurant  #Braidwoods

wishing  all   visitors    to #Ayrshire   a very   warm  and  authentic  welcome

Ballantraefood and drink festival brings out the best of Ayrshire 8th /9th june

 45   local   producers   including #Dunlop Dairy ;#Rhone  Cottage ;  #theCooshed ;#GlenappCastle ; #CedarCottage ;#Threepwoodfayre   ;#Ballochmylebrie; plus#Everythingchilli  ;#CorrieMains   free range eggs ;#Thehomecookschool  :#slowfood:#Ayrshirehampers;#Adrattraywhisky;#Ayrbrewing ;Ayrshire hampers  all   at

https://www.ballantraefoodfestival.com

with stunning   coastline setting  .    kite flying .  foraging .  street food .  excellent gins and whiskies . slow  food ..  scottish   food guide .Wendy barrie. Lindsay Guidi  @howardfarm

today  11.00-17.00     free   bus    routes   ...  see  web site   for details 

Summer time brings out the best in Ayrshire Food Network community food tourism offerings

It     may  still    be cool    temperature   wise , but with the   clocks going forward  tonight , Mothers' Day  and   Summer    Time  are upon us .... so our    colleagues   at #ABBA    are hoping  to be be busy  with Easter   almost  here 

#Little  Turnberry   Farm    are   opening again  for the season  with   their amazing   baking  and   local produce  including  #Mossgeil   milk    available  to order

#Bhaile Artisan  Bakery   are offering  increasingly     diverse   flavoursome  produce   through their  three    outlets , including   customer   suggested    weekend     offerings , using  exciting  ingredients  including #CorrieMains  eggs

They together   with   the  #TheCooShed   were   recent finalists   in the Scottish Rural Awards ,at which #Mossgeil   won   the best    Agricultural    business  award ..Sincere congratulations    to all  three

#Lime Tree  Larder    are running    very  enjoyable  chocolate  making  classes  for both  children   and adults ..(what an Easter   present )!  Afterwards  why
 not  drop in   for a  good meal offering   at #Auchengree  farm   restaurant   and shop

#Glenapp   Castle    continues   its    very high standards  with   lunches , dinners   a specialist  afternoon teas     (  a  real treat   for   you and your friends  and family )

#Ayrshire   Hampers  under new ownership     will be attending the  next  #Fenwick  food and craft fair ...wishing   them all the best  with   their    collaborations  and   workings including   with # Threepwood Fayre

#The  Lairds  Table   in  Fenwick   is attracting  many families   to its  stunning lochside  venue,  where guests can enjoy   creative   dishes   using  local ingredients    including  #Everythingchilli    products    made   in   the village

#Dunlop Dairy    cheese  farm   and tearoom    are     providing   wonderful   hospitality  plus   the delights of being  surrounded by new born   goats' kids !!

#Ayrshire   farmers'market    cooperative  events in  #Ayr   and  #Kilmarnock      are good places    to find   the full range  of outstanding    meat    products   from #Cedar    Country Foods

#Ayrshire Market   Fresh    artisan   food  deliveries, established   by  #Rhone   Cottage   are  working   with  #Fencebay, #Dalduff ,#GCGrowers   and 8 other     local suppliers     to bring you    an excellent  click  and    deliver     online  home    service    offering    It  is .well  worth   giving it    a try with     deliveries   throughout   Ayrshire   on     a  Thursday

Interesting   developments  at #Ramstanes....watch   this space !

 A very    exciting   development   about to start  is    the   series  of   free  community cooking classes    being  run   by #TheHome   Cook School.... the first  of   these    will  start  in  Minishant

 Two   future  dates  .. April   30th    interegional   food  groups conference   in Dumfermline

 Lindsay  Guidi with be   representing  AFN    talking about    her   Connect Local   funded  Cook    Ayrshire  project... contact  the author for more details    and   booking  arrangements

June  8th  /9th     sees  the      award  winning   Ballantrae  Food and  Drink   festival  return   including     specialist  #The  whisky   ( and gin !)  Experience

.................. wishing  everyone   a successful     trading   period  in the run up  to Easter

Meanwhile  we will  be represented   on  the  10th /11th  April   at #Visit Scotland   Tourism  Scotand    sharing  with  global   trade  visitors   the  excellence of   Ayrshire   as " Scotland's authentic  food tourism    destination"

innovative food and drink service developments in Ayrshire bring rewards

 Autumn  is   normally  the time  of year  of award nominations & announcements..

this season  has seen  a spate  of  activity with AFN members

The #Scottish  Land and Estates  and #Sepa awards    have seen #Mossgeil  and #Craufurdland    recognised   in the    finals

The Regional  finals  of the Thistle  awards  have   seen  Discover  Ayrshire  (#Glenapp   Castle );  #Trump Turnberry , #The  Whisky   Experience   and others ) recognised  .... good  luck

The  ACCI    business   awards  dinner   event   on friday  12th  October sees #Bhaile craft  bakery ; # Home Cook  School ; and #The Cooshed   competing  with others  for the Food and drink award .... tough competition indeed .... you are all winners!!!

 #Bhaile  has  already  picked  up  a   Scotland  wide    business   start up award  this  month -- warmest  congratulations

....................................
  the   innovative #Ayrshire Fresh Market Place  service  is   building   serious   momentum  with   their online sales, secure payment and home  delivery service    involving   a  collaboration among  10  local   producers .....great stuff
check it out at https://www.ayrshiremarketfresh.co.uk  and try it for yourselves


............ good luck  to all who will be  trading  " outside "  this weekend   including   the #Scottish   boat  show at Inverkip   hopefully  you will  find  ways  to  overcome the  weather .

thanks