New ‘Forth Valley Five’ Campaign Launches to Champion Local Food and Drink
Businesses across Stirling and beyond are being invited to take the ‘Forth Valley Five’ pledge: a bold new initiative designed to celebrate local food and drink and boost community wealth.
Launched by Forth Valley Food & Drink and backed by Scotland Food & Drink’s Regional Food Fund, the Forth Valley Five campaign encourages cafes, restaurants, shops and hospitality businesses to commit to featuring at least five locally produced items on their menus or shelves.
Spotlight on Local Producers
The campaign aims to highlight the region’s thriving food and drink scene, connecting hospitality businesses with local producers and encouraging more people to buy local. Organisers hope it will not only benefit small producers but also enrich the region’s visitor experience and support the rural economy.
“Forth Valley Five is about making it easier for people to discover, enjoy and support the amazing food and drink produced right here in our region,” explained Stacey Spence, Coordinator of Forth Valley Food & Drink.
“We’re encouraging businesses of all kinds, from independent cafes to hotels and retailers, to join us in showcasing local ingredients, reducing food miles and telling the story of our producers.
“Taking the pledge is simple, but the impact could be huge for both businesses and communities.”
Businesses that sign the pledge will benefit from a range of marketing and PR opportunities, including a listing in the Forth Valley Five digital directory.
While locals and visitors are encouraged to look out for the Forth Valley Five window sticker, identifying participating businesses.
Supported through Scotland Food & Drink’s Regional Food Fund, the campaign is part of a wider drive to connect communities through food and celebrate what’s grown, made and enjoyed locally.
Fiona Richmond, Head of Regional Food at Scotland Food & Drink, said:
“Forth Valley Five is a fantastic example of how food can bring people together — supporting local businesses, strengthening connections between producers and communities, and helping us all take pride in what our region has to offer.
“It’s exactly the kind of grassroots initiative the Regional Food Fund exists to support. I’d love to see as many businesses and local food champions as possible get behind it.”
Official Launch Event in Stirling
The official launch will take place on Saturday 6 September 2025 within Thistles Shopping Centre from 9am-5.30pm, featuring local food and drink stalls, campaign giveaways and product tasters from local shortbread to small batch gin.
Five Key Themes
Forth Valley Five is built around five key themes:
- Supporting the rural and visitor economy
- Championing local provenance
- Reducing food miles
- Keeping skills local and supporting jobs
- Growing community wealth through local spending
These themes reflect the campaign’s ambition to create a sustainable, connected local food system that benefits everyone, from producers to customers.
Local Support and Early Adopters
Go Forth Stirling BID is a key partner in the campaign, helping to drive participation among city centre businesses.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Stirling businesses to connect with local producers, attract new customers and really shout about the value of shopping and sourcing locally,” says Fiona McMillan of Go Forth Stirling BID.
“We’re proud to be part of the campaign and look forward to seeing the city centre get behind Forth Valley Five — it’s good for business, good for the local economy and great for our community.”
One of the first businesses to take the pledge is the Real Food Café in Tyndrum.
“At the Real Food Cafe, we’re proud to champion Scottish produce and long-standing local supplier relationships — it’s central to who we are,” said Sarah Heward, Founder and Co-Owner. “Taking part in Forth Valley Five is a natural fit, and we’re excited to discover even more exceptional local products to share with our customers.”
Other outlets that have taken the pledge include: Brig o’ Turk Tearoom, Weigh Ahead, The Broch Café, Hotel Colessio, St Mocha, Blairmains, Allanwater Brewhouse, Blair Drummond Smiddy, The Riverside, Turnip the Beet, Oak Tree Inn, An Darna, The Westlands, Wee Wolf Bistro, White Dove Coffee Roasters, Corner30, Granary Cafe and Village Shop Balmaha.
How to Get Involved
Food and drink businesses across Forth Valley are encouraged to sign up now to be included in the campaign ahead of the September launch event. Take the pledge and find out more about the campaign here www.forthvalleyfoodanddrink.org/forth-valley-five/
For further information contact hello@forthvalleyfoodanddrink.org
