THE Scottish Borders is one of four Scottish regions set to share in £208,000 of EU funding, after a project to roll out click and collect farmers’ markets across rural Scotland was given the green light.

Forth Environment Link, which runs Stirling NeighbourFood, will use the six-figure grant to establish eight new weekly markets across the Scottish Borders, Perth and Kinross, Forth Valley and Loch Lomond and Fife by 2020.

The NeighbourFood project aims to increase rural access to Scotland’s larder by creating rural employment, offering small scale producers a safe route to market and connecting shoppers with the people who make or grow food locally.

After registering for free, shoppers can place an order online using the NeighbourFood platform and pick it up from a central venue – in Stirling’s case, a local High School.

The funding comes from a collaboration between four Scottish Rural Network LEADER programmes, as part of a wider EU funding programme aimed at supporting grassroots development of rural communities and businesses through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

As well as cutting down on waste, the initiative should see local producers rewarded fairly for their work.

Jack Crotty, Director of NeighbourFood, explained how the model differs from large retailers. He said: “Our producers set their own prices and get to keep 80 percent of sales for every product, compared to 15-25 percent through supermarkets.

“The remaining 20 percent is split equally between the market host and NeighbourFood.”

Since launching in Stirling in 2016, the market has boosted the local economy by £135,000, with producers keeping most of the profits.

There is optimism in the Borders that the rollout of the project into the region will benefit the public as well as producers.

Jane Rosegrant, Scottish Borders Leader Action Group Chair, said: “Scottish Borders LEADER is delighted to be supporting this innovative approach to making local food more accessible to local people.

“At a time when sustainability—both environmental and economic—is more important than ever, this project provides a practical way to provide fresh produce, cut food miles and support local producers all at the same time.”

The hunt is now on for eight new market hosts, who will be given funding, training and promotional support to set up the NeighbourFood scheme in their own area.

Interested parties can register their interest in the scheme by contacting stuart@forthenvironmentlink.org.