Area of Operations

A pilot project will cover the Grampian Television region to build upon contacts already established, supported by a press and television marketing campaign. The scheme will launch in Oct 2007, aiming to attract approximately 1.5% of the population / households within the region, creating an extensive network stretching from the Northern Isles to the banks of the Firth of Forth resulting in a substantial spend per annum being retained in the local regional economies, directly supporting small businesses and local producers.

Active regional operations ; Milton Haugh Farm Shop (Angus), Scottish Fresh Foods (Aberdeenshire), Caithness Food and Horticulture Ltd (Caithness)

Regions active in April 08; CFINE (Aberdeen City) , Tammex Ltd (Inverness)

Regional expressions of interest / under devlopment; Moray, East Lothian, Mid Lothian, West Lothian, Killin, Ullapool, Skye, Lochaber, Glasgow

Whether you are a customer or a supplier please enter your details to join a network that is operational in your area. Alternatively register your interest in joining the networks that are currenlty under development and we will let you know when they are up and running. Should you wish to operate as the local collection and distribution hub for your region please contact us at enquiries@larderbytes.com. Help us bring together all the regions of Scotland into a comprehensive network of local food suppliers delivering commercial and social benefits to your community

Through management of the supply chain we are targeting a reduction of 263 tonnes per annum of food and packaging waste. This saving is achieved by a relatively small user community and represents under 1.5 Kg per household per month. This provides a target 263 tonnes per annum for this pilot project alone, once we gain a better understanding of the food procurement process it is hope to dramatically improve on these initial targets and in addition greatly reducing the volume of GHG emissions as well as waste going into landfill.

Larder Bytes have been in operation for three years. Our latest program is build upon our award winning technology and is in direct response to feedback from our customers as well as the environmental and sustainability needs of the market. This new development has received the support and backing of the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and is designed with the reduction of food and packaging waste as a key element of the network.

There has been a great deal of discussion about the benefits of locally produced food the most significant of which is the review that was published earlier this year of the Scottish Diet Action Plan. This clearly outlines a need for convergence, bringing together sales, marketing, and production with the sourcing and environmental elements of food relative to the nation's diet.

By increasing the volumes of business for small local companies we anticipate an increase in business confidence in the marketplace, leading to increased local production and employment, driving ongoing sustainability. A number of our hubs are already planning to employ a new driver and or stores person as a direct result of joining the network.

Our waste reduction targets per household per month we believe to be relatively low. It is our objective to use year 1 to evaluate the causes of food and packaging waste and then use the supply chain to dramatically increase savings based upon our analysis of the root causes. Having determined what the causes waste are, we will be much better placed to assist the local council in reducing further the amounts of waste going into landfill in line with the new EU landfill directive;

In addition the regional nature of the distribution network reduces food miles and traffic congestion. The home delivery service dramatically reduces the carbon foot print of households and businesses, and can provide users with individual food related carbon indices. Support the council's commitment to the Scottish Climate Change Declaration

Tourism is a key revenue stream for Scotland and as such we have developed our technology with sustainable and green tourism as fundamental to the network. Not only do we provide the providence of our products but we also demonstrate the link to local food service and retail outlets. This ensures the visitor can access local high quality produce both directly and indirectly through restaurants and shops generating greater volumes of business in the local economy creating a local brand and enhancing the regions identity.