Perthshire Social Enterprise Aims To Feed 100,000 People This Year

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A Perthshire farmer feeding families in need with surplus deer is aiming to reach 100,000 people this year, after receiving support from Business Gateway.

Helen Stewart set up Fair Feast after taking over her family's farm near Pitlochry, home to protected moorland that needed regular deer culling to protect the fragile habitat. Rather than see the venison go to waste, she saw an opportunity to turn it into meals for families who needed them.

Fair Feast built a network of food banks across rural Scotland to distribute its venison. With support from food banks, deer managers and the public, the business scaled up operations, leading to the opening of what is believed to be the world's first social enterprise butcher's shop, on Pitlochry's high street earlier this year. Every sale in the shop is now matched by a donation to food banks, so growing the business means growing its impact too.

Venison is often seen as a luxury or an acquired taste, out of reach for families watching every penny. Fair Feast processes it into familiar, everyday products such as mince, sausages and burgers, making it easy to prepare and cook. The new premises also gives the business a permanent base for the first time, meaning produce can reach food banks throughout the year rather than only around seasonal peaks.

To support the business's growth, Helen received expert one-to-one support from Business Gateway adviser Andrew Webster, who advised on expanding into new premises and hiring and training staff.

He also signposted routes to funding and Fair Feast secured £5,000 from the Tay Cities SME Skills Fund and Perth & Kinross Council. Business Gateway also introduced the business to Scottish Enterprise, which has since provided further support through its Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service.

Helen Stewart, founder of Fair Feast, said:

“I could see how our business could genuinely make a difference, not just to the environment, but to families who were going without. What blew me away was how much the local community got behind us. People want to be part of the solution, and the support from Business Gateway has been a huge part of getting us to a point where we can properly scale up.”

Andrew Webster, Business Gateway adviser, said:

“Helen's vision and drive have created a genuinely unique business. She's engaged the whole community and is making a real difference to food poverty in Perthshire. It's been a pleasure supporting her through the shop opening, and I'm looking forward to seeing where the business goes next.”

To find out more about how Business Gateway can help your business, visit here.

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Sep 28, 2023
2 min read

Berghaus, Endura and Canterbury of New Zealand are teaming up with Scottish rugby star Kenny Logan for a charity challenge with a difference.

Starting on the 1st October, Kenny and a team of celebrity friends will undertake a gruelling 700 mile walking and cycling challenge from Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, to the Stade de France, Paris. Kenny will be accompanied by stars including football legend Ally McCoist, actor Jamie Bamber, television and radio presenter Kirsty Gallacher, adventurer Jason Fox, and Kenny’s wife and television presenter Gabby Logan.

Kenny’s Challenge will raise vital funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, supporting research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

With a shared goal of creating a world made stronger by sport, Endura, Berghaus and Canterbury are committed to giving more people the chance to live a healthy, active lifestyle. The brands are calling on peers in the sports industry to join them in supporting the cause and help create a world free of MND.

Endura, Berghaus and Canterbury are donating products to support the celebrities during their gruelling 700-mile journey. Pentland Brands is also fundraising by encouraging employees to take part in a 700-mile virtual challenge alongside the celebrities, donating funds to the charity for every hundred miles covered.

The challenge is undertaken in memory of Doddie Weir OBE, one of rugby’s most recognisable personalities. After earning 61 caps for Scotland and representing the British & Irish Lions, in 2017, Doddie revealed he was suffering from Motor Neurone Disease. The challenge marks the first Rugby World Cup tournament since he sadly passed away in November 2022.

Supported by World Rugby and in memory of Doddie’s incredible legacy, the challenge team will deliver the match ball to the final pool B game at the Rugby World Cup, Ireland vs Scotland, on the 7th October.

Kenny Logan, ex-rugby player and challenge leader, says:

“Doddie had the most incredible mindset in the toughest of circumstances. He was stubborn, but as soon as he realised he wouldn’t be able to help himself, he dedicated his time to helping others. We’re grateful to all the partners who’ve supported us and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, so that one day, everyone in Doddie’s position will have a better chance.”

Charlotte Cox, regional president – EMEA, Pentland Brands, says:

“Everyone can take inspiration from Doddie’s sporting career and the unrivalled legacy that he’s left behind. We’re proud to support Kenny in his quest to raise vital funds and create a world free of MND. We’re calling on our peers, retailers and partners in the sports industry to join us in supporting this incredible cause.”

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Perthshire Social Enterprise Aims To Feed 100,000 People This Year

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