Three 'landmark projects' in the food and drink sector in the county have secured key funding from government coffers.

The money, "in excess" of £1.5million, will benefit Gravesham, Medway, Thanet, Swale and Tonbridge and Malling from the three pioneering programmes.

They are Growing Green; a pilot project to help small businesses in Kent meet net-zero targets by providing them with the skills, knowledge, and funding to become more sustainable; the Kent and Medway Partnership for Enterprise, Food and Health, which will develop a blueprint to strengthen the region’s capacity to grow, process and use healthy food at affordable prices; and Medway Together, which will provide tailored opportunities to offer employment experience for disadvantaged groups, supported by mentoring and learning coaches, as well as improved access to existing employment services in the region.

The funding has been secured from the government's UK Community Renewal Fund, by Growing Kent & Medway.

It is a research, innovation, and enterprise cluster set up to enhance the sector and led by NIAB EMR, the horticultural research and development centre, based in East Malling.

Dr Nicola Harrison, programme director for Growing Kent & Medway, said: “The three awards from the UK Community Renewal Fund will bolster the investment we are making to strengthen the Kent and Medway area as world-leaders in climate-smart food production.

“The projects are being delivered by our leading research specialists, demonstrating the breadth of capabilities within our partnerships. They are designed to complement some of the fantastic work already taking place in the region, both through Growing Kent & Medway and initiatives such as Low Carbon Kent and Employ Medway.”

NIAB EMR and the University of Greenwich will lead the new projects.

Professor Andy Frost, head of the food and markets department at the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) at the University of Greenwich, added: “All three projects will invest in people and skills to create healthy communities and achieve sustainable economic growth.

“The university is working with a number of grassroots organisations from the voluntary and community sector. Combining our expertise and understanding of local social challenges will help us address and overcome barriers to innovation and stimulate real employment opportunities.”

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