The growth in the food sector across the whole country has driven a creative and forward thinking industry sector that now not only serves food but grows and produces it as well. 

The consumer will already have been aware of Ayrshire Tatties and Ayrshire Bacon and of course the association of Johnnie Walker's striding man is synonymous with Kilmarnock. It is however the explosion of micro food businesses and farm shops that has opened up a host of new markets both locally and internationally. You will see menus across Ayrshire proudly boasting that the menu sources local produce wherever possible and very often narrate the providence of those ingredients.

An outcome of the growth of the food and drink sector is a plethora of food groups and associations who will bring together like minded food and drink businesses for marketing and business development purposes. These sectoral groups have played an active role in getting micro businesses to market and their importance cannot be overstated.

If you're in the food sector you may want to connect with some of them.