Food from Fife is a business to business organisation founded in 2010 with the objective of growing Fife’s food & drink and food tourism industry by bringing the industry together. It has a diverse base of over 100 members and membership continues to grow. The membership represents a number of sectors including universities and colleges; heritage organisations and social enterprises; food producers; food shops; restaurants, cafes and caterers; hotels and guesthouses; street food outlets, food photographers and writers, and a range of others connected with the industry such as farmers’ markets, distributors, festivals, exporters and cook schools.
Food from Fife is a not for profit organisation limited by guarantee. It is governed by a Board comprising diverse member businesses, who are elected by members at the AGM. It is important that the group is governed by its members as it is for its members. It is funded by Fife Council, Scotland Food & Drink and membership fees. Activities are managed and facilitated by a part-time coordinator.
Summed up on its website, Food from Fife members “have the opportunity to shape developments, meet and share experiences of other local businesses, get access to insights, training, marketing and trading opportunities and much more”. The group is a communications and networking channel for members, which aims to grow the local food & drink and food tourism industry by making connections and coming together. It makes good use of its functional and informative website that provides information for the general public but also has an area specific to members. Membership activities include training courses, business development trips, conferences, trade fairs and shows and supportive PR and social media. Food from Fife also undertakes initiatives with local schools and hosts a Youth Opportunities section on its website both aimed at raising awareness of food and drink career opportunities.
Food from Fife also networks with other regional food groups and is an active member of the wider Tay Cities Food & Drink Sector Development Group. This maximises the value of collaboration and shared learning, bringing further benefits to group members.