By James Withers, Chief executive, Scotland Food & Drink

THE food and drink sector in Scotland has exploded into life over the last few years. Long-established businesses have grown sales at home and abroad. As consumers, we’ve changed too, as we increasingly hunt out a local food and drink experience.

But, as well as our long-established businesses now flourishing, a whole new generation of talented entrepreneurs have emerged, with new products bursting onto the scene.

So, it seems particularly fitting that as we approach the annual celebration of our nation’s produce – Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight – that the campaign will this year focus on the young talent who are writing the next chapter in Scotland’s food and drink story. During the annual two-week celebration, we want to inspire the nation through our young people’s ideas, attitudes and ambitions – a perfect, “foodie” addition to Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018

Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight, run by industry leadership body Scotland Food & Drink, is the nationwide event which supports, promotes and champions Scotland’s produce and the people who grow, make, cook and sell it. And this year, we are using it as a platform to highlight the amazing young personalities, talents and entrepreneurs who work in the industry and giving them a voice to inspire new entrants to the sector.

Last year, we announced our ambition to be a £30 billion industry by 2030, one which is an international model of collaboration and a world-leader in responsible growth. Achieving this will require new, adaptable and ambitious entrants to our sector.

Currently, the Scottish food and drink industry employs around 120,000 people. However, we know we have an estimated 27,000 jobs to be filled by 2022 alone. So, whilst we have many young people already at the heart of our industry, we need to work harder to encourage more to become part of our food and drink community.

Key to this is engaging with schools, colleges, further and higher education establishments, universities, training providers, skills bodies and employers. We need to develop clear pathways at all levels for people who want to make a career in the industry. We need to make our industry a career destination of choice. And we need to dispel the myths that surround our sector.

At the heart of this year’s Fortnight campaign is a group of young ambassadors who are all extremely passionate about their businesses, the industry and are ready and willing to help us achieve our ambitions.

It is incredible to hear their stories, from a 19-year old chocolatier in the Highlands to a former international badminton player who has built a successful performance coffee brand. We’ll celebrate a young sous chef working in a Michelin star restaurant and a 23-year old farmer using renewable energy to make jams and chutneys from her crop.

These people are the future of our industry and it is their creativity and inventiveness that will drive our sector forward. There are huge opportunities out there for the people and products of Scotland’s food and drink sector. In a world that seems to be changing at a faster rate than ever, Scotland’s world-class products and talented people are working in an increasing spirit of community and collaboration. That should make us all massively excited about the years ahead.

The annual Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight will run 1-16 September. To learn more about Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight and how you can be involved visit www.fooddrinkfort.scot or engage with campaign on social media: @Eat_Scottish (Twitter), @Eat_Scottish (Instagram) and @eatscottish (Facebook.)