Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust

An exciting new partnership has been formed that aims to help tackle food insecurity in Sutherland. The initiative is being driven by The Country Food Trust (CFT), a national food poverty charity which aims to provide nutritious, locally sourced meals to those in need, Ardgay Game, a prominent family run Sutherland business which has supplied high quality wild Highland venison for over 40 years, and the KoSDT.

 

CFT, Ardgay Game, and KoSDT are working together to manufacture and distribute thousands of nutritious, protein rich, low-fat, venison based meals to food larders, charities and organisations that support individuals and families across Sutherland. It is hoped that this partnership represents a significant step towards alleviating food insecurity and promoting healthy eating in the area.

 

CFT has been successfully operating in England since 2015 and is now developing networks to support communities in the Highlands. The Trust have developed a range of game-based nutritious meals served in ambient pouches, with a 12-month shelf life.

 

Ardgay Game have played a crucial role by making a generous donation of over 300kg of locally sourced, minced venison to CFT.

 

The Ardgay Game donation has produced over 3,000 pouches of the Wild Venison Bolognese which have now been delivered to KoSDT for local use and distribution to local food larders, and other local charities dealing with food insecurity across Sutherland. This will help to address food poverty and ensure that those facing nutritional deficiencies have access to wholesome and nourishing meals.

 

As a partner in the Sutherland Community Partnership (SCP), KoSDT have coordinated the local distribution of the meals to charities across Sutherland as well as distributing them through the Community Food Bothy in Ardgay. The meals have already been distributed to organisations in Brora, Dornoch, Golspie and Lairg. With deliveries scheduled to Assynt, Kinlochbervie, Tongue and Helmsdale in the coming days. This will result in locally sourced venison supporting individuals and families across the communities of Sutherland.

 

Ruaridh Waugh, Managing Director of Ardgay Game said “We are thrilled to collaborate with CFT and KoSDT to help combat food poverty in the Highlands. Our commitment to this cause aligns perfectly with our values, and we are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need. By providing nutritious venison meals, we strive to ensure that individuals and families facing hardship can access healthy and sustaining food.”

 

CFT CEO, SJ Hunt, commented “We are very grateful to the wonderful teams at Ardgay Game and KoSDT for supporting The Country Food Trust through this initiative. Food insecurity is a real issue for households across the UK, this generous donation is vital to alleviating this crisis.”

 

KoSDT Manager David Watson said “We are delighted to play a part in this exciting partnership between the private and charitable sectors. Food insecurity is a very real issue in our rural communities and to be able to provide healthy and nutritious, locally sourced meals, to communities right across Sutherland, is a fantastic way to help deal with the issue. This project is a great example of partnership working at it’s very best.”

 

To sustain this important endeavour, the Ardgay Game are seeking donations and deer carcasses, which will be processed free of charge. Meals created from these donations will be returned to the Highlands to benefit local communities. To learn more about how you can contribute or become involved in this initiative, please contact Miranda at Ardgay Game on 01863 766 162 or enquiries@ardgaygame.co.uk.