NeighbourFood Uist will provide an online platform that will enable customers to buy food and drink directly from local producers
Abigail Taylor
Customers will be able to purchase a wide range of local produce from Beagram Eggs, to Fiona’s Cakes n Bakes, to Downpour Gin.
Funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), with support from Storas Uibhist, NeighbourFood will provide two dedicated host sites, at Tagsa Uibhist in Balivanich and Croft and Cuan in Lochboisdale, where customers can collect their goods on agreed collection days.
There are currently ten local producers registered and any other local producers wishing to be involved should contact ronan.macphee@tagsa.co.uk.
Darren Taylor, Chief Executive of Stòras Uibhist said: “Stòras Uibhist recognises the importance of local produce to the local economy, the contribution towards net zero through food miles reduction, and to the overall health and wellbeing of islanders through eating seasonally and nutritiously.”
Darren Taylor highlighted other upcoming projects that will add value for food businesses: “NeighbourFood is just one of several Stòras Uibhist projects that will help local businesses to thrive. With grant support from the Islands Infrastructure Fund, Ludag waiting room will be renovated later this year into a commercial premises with the opportunity for local businesses to take on the lease of this unit in what is such a special location.
“The longer term Islands Deal project will see the complete transformation of Grogarry Steadings into a local produce facility with a number of commercial units being created. We are delighted to have worked in partnership with Tagsa Uibhist and Croft and Cuan to launch NeighbourFood, and we all look forward to seeing how the project evolves.”
Ronan MacPhee (pictured), 18, from Benbecula, is the Market Host for NeighbourFood Tagsa and is in charge of inviting and helping producers get ready for the initiative.
“NeighbourFood allows customers to place an order online and to then collect their local produce shopping from one spot. So you are going A to B instead of travelling throughout the island; this saves you time, fuel and is good for the environment,” Ronan explained.
He added: “When time comes for opening, I’ll be helping producers unload their goods and updating the website to make sure I have everything I need for each person who has
ordered. Then on Wednesdays, I’ll be welcoming people who come to collect the goods, ‘A click & collect’ type service.”
The hub is based at Benbecula East Camp, in the back of the Bunker. Online markets are already up and running across Scotland.
Ronan said: “It’s great that our Market is in Balivanich as it’s so central. It means that someone who lives in North Uist can come down to me and pick up local goods that would usually be down at the bottom of South Uist. Or someone who can’t drive can walk here and pick up local stuff from around the islands. I just think it’s really going to help people out in wonderful ways.”
Chris MacLullich, Chief Executive Officer at Tagsa Uibhist, said: “Tagsa Uibhist is excited to be part of this new enterprise, which we believe will become part of community life in Uist. There is an abundance of fresh food being produced here and we hope that this venture will lead to more local food being consumed in Uist, as well as providing a great opportunity for businesses.
From our perspective in Tagsa Uibhist, as an organisation that promotes health and wellbeing, NeighbourFood ticks a lot of boxes – making fresh, healthy food more available, creating new opportunities for people to be active and interacting with each other and providing a new opportunity for employment. We look forward to seeing NeighbourFood customers and producers here in East Camp.”
For more information visit: https://www.neighbourfood.co.uk/markets/tagsa/117
