Government funding ‘leek’ benefits Co’path vegetable processor
cockburnspath vegetable processors R&K Drysdale have been given a £193,000 grant by the Scottish Government towards a new leek processing building.
It follows the opening in March this year of their £1.6 million sprout processing facility, expected to provide 20 new jobs and boost the local economy by £1 million, which receieved £600,000 of Scottish Government funding.
This latest grant will go towards a new leek processing building and specialist equipment for leak cooling, wrapping and storage, staff training facilities, and new pumps and plumbing apparatus
Drysdales was one of two Borders companies that received a combined total of £292,000 from the £9 million of grants in this latest round of funding for Scotland’s food and drink industry
The other going to Kelso based food processors TDC Thomson to construct a humidified and refrigerated storage building for broccoli and cauliflower.
Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Food and drink is one of Scotland’s greatest success stories, thanks to our outstanding natural larder and high quality, delicious produce.
“It’s fitting that this £9.5 million support is being announced during Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight.
“Scotland has a well deserved reputation for its outstanding produce and companies such as R&K Drysdale and TDC Thomson are able to make the most of high quality raw ingredients – which in turn means that their vegetable products can succeed in the market place.
“The funding will benefit a wide range of small and medium-sized businesses across the country and support the creation of new jobs and further investment.”
Under the Food Processing, Marketing and Cooperation (FPMC) scheme 159 Scottish projects have benefited from £38 million of support since 2008.
Drysdales supply British supermarkets with over 14,000 tonnes of fresh Scottish vegetables all year round
They are the largest supplier of leeks in Scotland, growing over 160 acres of leeks and this latest develop of a leek processing building is part of their plan to be the largest leek grower in the UK.
They are currently developing a fully-automated production trimmer that will enable them to process large volumes of leeks at a very high quality in the most efficient manner.
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Monday 20 May 2013
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