Food from Argyll wins Scottish Countryside Alliance Award

Food from Argyll, the local food producers group which includes Loch Fyne Oysters, was presented the award for Best Local Food at the Scottish Countryside Alliance Awards ceremony on Wednesday 26th January at the Scottish Parliament. The judges praised the group’s innovative and enthusiastic approach to developing new opportunities for rural businesses by providing catering as a group for major festivals and events. Members of the group include Loch Fyne Oysters, Barbreck Farm, Bumbles Puddings, Kingscross Herbs, Inverloch Cheese, Stronmagachan Farm and Winston Churchill Venison. Food from Argyll, nominated by the public and judged from a shortlist through personal visits by a panel of experts, will now go on to represent Scotland in a Great Britain-wide competition whose winners will be announced at a House of Lords ceremony in March. The awards were presented by Angus MSP Andrew Welsh, the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee Convener. He said: “These awards recognise the enthusiasm, hard work and innovation of people in businesses and organisations which are so vital to rural Scotland’s well being and quality of life” Virginia Sumsion, who is Marketing Manager at Loch Fyne Oysters and Marketing Development Officer for Food from Argyll said: “It’s great to have the group’s work recognised in this way. We are now preparing for our 2011 season and look forward to spreading the word about good food from Argyll even further a field, including hopefully lifting the trophy in London in March!” For more information, visit www.foodfromargyll.com and www.lochfyne.com Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd – background Loch Fyne started with one inspirational idea – to grow oysters in the clear, fertile waters of Loch Fyne. It has since developed into a cluster of businesses whose success is built on an honest approach to superb quality food. All Loch Fyne businesses abide by the guiding environmental principles established by founders John Noble and Andy Lane at the outset. The companies work together to ensure that only the very best produce – farmed and fished to the highest quality and environmental standards – reaches the kitchens and plates of their customers. Along with the smokehouse and shellfish farms at the base of Loch Fyne are the Loch Fyne Farm shop and the Oyster Bar, the genesis behind the Loch Fyne Restaurant group, now owned by Greene King with whom Loch Fyne Oysters have both supply and licence agreements in place. Loch Fyne Oysters work closely with the Marine Conservation Society and is one of its Oceans 25 Ambassadors. ENDS For media enquiries contact Mia O’Neill T: 01786 435 182 E: mia@denvirmarketing.com