A 'Shetland Food and Drink Group' is being established to act as a vehicle for producing excellence, encouraging diversity and raising the profile of food and drink producers in Shetland.

The new group will provide meeting and networking opportunities for food and drink producers, customers, suppliers and service providers. 

A wide range of companies from different sectors are involved in forming the group.  They are meeting next Thursday (March 24) to get some expert advice and guidance on establishing the 'Shetland Food and Drink Group'.

Guest speakers, Alan Dobson, co-ordinator of 'Taste of Arran' and Carole Inglis, food and drink development manager for Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise (SALE) will be on hand to offer the expertise gained from their involvement with similar groups in their local areas.

Carole Inglis said: "The best way Highlands and Islands producers can prosper in an increasingly globalised marketplace is to focus on their unique assets.  Telling a story about the product, where it came from, the landscape and the person who produced it.  In this case making use of Shetland's distinctive qualities."

Alec Miller, a locally based business advisor, will also take part in the workshop, covering some of the important issues and considerations relating to forming a group.

The establishment of the 'Shetland Food and Drink Group' is supported by Shetland Enterprise and Shetland Islands Council (SIC).

Mark Georgeson, food and drink development manager with Shetland Enterprise, said: "We hope to learn from the work done by similar groups in Skye and Lochalsh and Arran.  It will be useful to benefit from the best practice methods they have developed and the experience they have had going through the process.  They provide good examples of what Shetland can aspire too.

"The food and drink sector will have an important role in the future of Shetland's economy.  This group will play a key role in helping the industry raise its game and take advantage of new opportunities in the high quality food and drink sector.  Hopefully the group will lead to a more profitable partnership between food and drink businesses and their suppliers and customers."

Principal marketing officer for SIC, Neil Henderson, said: "It is very encouraging that there is a strong will being expressed from the private sector to see this group form, as there are real benefits from working together.  Undoubtedly this will allow ourselves, Shetland Enterprise and the tourist industry to work more effectively with food and drink producers in order to capitalise on the excellent range of produce here in Shetland."