sfd_small_company_membership - Scotland Food and Drink

Helping you grow your
business in the UK
As part of a membership organisation,
you need to feel the direct benefit of
membership in your own business.
Our Access to Markets programme has
been a flagship project over the last
few years. It has worked directly with
the major retailers and food service
companies to build new relationships
between them and our members. From
hugely successful Meet the Buyer events,
to more intense Supplier Development
Programmes and presence at the
major exhibitions, our members have
benefitted from millions of pounds
worth of additional sales. Small
companies have been able to make that
next step in their growth.
Helping to grow your
business abroad
Scottish Development International acts
as the international arm of Scotland
Food & Drink. Our international strategy
sets out clear opportunities in these
markets and we are now working with the
industry bodies that specifically cover
red meat, salmon, seafood and whisky
to develop even closer working to exploit
the opportunities that clearly exist. We
have small company members that have
begun their businesses with a stall at a
farmers market but, with support, are
now exporting overseas.
Learning from others,
developing best
practice
One of the key benefits of Scotland Food
& Drink membership is the opportunity
to meet and learn from other businesses
in the sector. We host events throughout
the year where companies can interact
with each other. We also host events
which allow members to make the
most of the opportunities developing
in the sector, from innovative routes to
funding and investment to cutting edge,
emerging technology in the industry.
The network of Food Forums, run in
conjunction with Scottish Enterprise, are
a key hub for smaller businesses.
However, it’s not just about the big
customers. It is also about building a local
food network, developing relationships in
your area, with everyone from the smaller
food outlets, to local chefs and popular
tourism destinations.
This all represents why Scotland Food & Drink
exists and what we do. We are here to forge a
successful, profitable and sustainable future
for our members’ businesses with our partners.
In so doing, the nation’s food and drink sector
will go from strength to strength and our
reputation as a Land of Food and Drink will
be cemented.
However, we know that delivering specific
service to you is crucial too. So read on to hear
about the thousands of pounds worth of benefits
you can access as a small company member.