FDF Annual Review 2011: Working in Scotland

SFDF continued its focus on skills in 2011, working to attract the talented work force that will help industry grow and maintain its competitive edge

Last year was another busy year for SFDF. 2011 saw the launch of our manifesto 'Supporting our Industry, Supporting Growth, Supporting Scotland' which outlined industry's key asks of Government ahead of the Parliamentary elections.

A number of SFDF political events including our annual dinner for Scottish MPs and our Parliamentary reception provided a forum for SFDF and representatives from industry to showcase our contribution to the economy, health and wellbeing, sustainability and innovation.

The Cross Party Group on Food, for which SFDF provides the secretariat, also held three successful meetings, attracting large numbers of MSPs and stakeholders on topics as diverse as farmers' markets and obesity. In a packed SFDF events programme for 2011 the 9th annual Symposium with the Institute of Food Science and Technology and REHIS was another highlight – despite the weather requiring a number of our speakers to present remotely through the wonders of modern technology!

SFDF Schools programme SFDF continued its focus on skills in 2011, working to attract the talented work force that will help industry grow and maintain its competitive edge. Towards the end of 2011 we secured funding from the Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland to establish a food and drink Skills Ambassadors Network. The network will recruit industry ambassadors and match them to an education or skills need in schools, colleges and universities. Our innovative schools programme, A Future in Food, has continued to grow and evolve. The programme has now engaged nearly 4,000 pupils across Scotland.

Another equally important focus of our work has been on health and wellbeing. SFDF has been an active member of the Joint Ministerial Obesity Group set up to oversee the Scottish Government's Obesity Action Plan published in March 2011, as well as the supporting Food Implementation Group.

Towards the close of 2011 we secured funding from the Scottish Government to fund an Industry Technical Manager post, initially for one year, to provide hands on reformulation support to SMEs in Scotland. By the end of 2011, 15 companies had made a commitment to working with our programme.

Looking forward we are confident that the groundwork laid in 2011 will deliver tangible results for members and the wider community in Scotland in 2012.

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