SAC Research

In addition to the academic training and development of a PhD dissertation, the student has to deliver a total of 20 workshops over three years to farmers and small and medium-sized food enterprises in Scotland.

After each workshop he has to interact with the businesses and provide an analysis for the products of the enterprises' choice. The project is a partnership between the Kent Business School and SAC and is funded by SAC and Scottish Enterprise.

To date several workshops have taken place around Scotland, including those at: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Brodick, Perth, Glasgow and Inverness. The focus of the workshops has depended on the companies attending, but has included red meat products, bakery products, soft fruits, fish products, organic fruit and vegetables, and locally branded products.

The next round of workshops is scheduled for September and October 2009.  The sectors and locations are expected to be defined during the summer period.

Some comments about the events:

“We have found the research you did for us this year extremely useful in compiling our forward sales development strategy and in other areas such as Brand and Product Development” (M. McKenna, Taste of Arran)

“The information sent in response to our enquiries has been relevant to our questions and has changed our understanding of the typical organic meat purchaser and also where the markets are most active” (A. Wootton, Atholl Estates)

For further information on the workshop events, please contact Ms. Chrysa Lamprinopoulou.