Cornwall Food Businesses Supported By Good Growth Programme Funding

Investment from the Good Growth Programme is helping to drive innovation, sustainability and food security across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s agri-food sector.

The programme, managed by Cornwall Council and funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, is forecast to support 738 local enterprises to adopt new or improved products and services.

Several well known Cornish food and drink businesses are already benefiting, bringing new products to market and expanding manufacturing capability within the region.

Investment Supporting Major Cornish Brands

Among the businesses supported is St Ewe Free Range Eggs, where funding has helped develop a new production facility at the company’s headquarters in Grampound Road.

The facility will allow shell eggs to be processed into liquid egg products, improving food safety, increasing efficiency and reducing waste. Waste egg shells created during production will be repurposed as a soil enhancer, contributing to a more circular approach within Cornwall’s agri-food system.

Origin Coffee is also receiving support to develop a new line of speciality cold brew coffee and coffee capsules. The investment is helping the company bring production in-house and expand operations with the opening of a Cold Brew Brewery near Stithians. The move aims to meet growing demand for high quality, convenient coffee products while retaining more value within Cornwall.

Meanwhile, Rodda’s is building a new purpose built cottage cheese facility alongside its existing site in Scorrier. The project will expand the company’s dairy manufacturing capability and help meet rising UK demand for British dairy products. It is also expected to create 10 skilled jobs.

Expansion And Sustainability Projects

In Bodmin, confectionery producer Buttermilk has completed a 420 square metre expansion of its production factory. The expansion has doubled capacity and created new jobs while supporting growing demand for plant based products in the UK and overseas.

The development also included energy efficient features such as solar panels and heat recovery systems to support a more sustainable approach to food manufacturing.

On St. Martin’s in the Isles of Scilly, SC Dogs Distillery received a grant through the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth Hub to install solar panels at its new small batch rum distillery. The company produces premium spirits using island grown sugar cane and locally sourced ingredients.

Supporting The Wider Agri-Food Sector

Alongside investment in individual businesses, the programme has also supported the wider food and drink industry through the Great Cornish Food team.

The team works with both new and established businesses to help showcase and grow Cornwall’s food and drink sector. This includes small grants to help businesses scale up and reach new markets, as well as training and education through the Great Cornish Food Academy.

So far, the project has directly invested £115,000 in 29 businesses to help overcome various challenges. Non financial support has also been provided to nearly 30 businesses and more than 70 individuals, including one to one mentoring for business owners.

Training has been delivered to 59 volunteers involved in community food schemes across Cornwall. The programme has also helped create a new Level 3 apprenticeship in Engineering for Food manufacturing at Truro & Penwith College.

Careers events held in secondary schools across Cornwall have also introduced young people to opportunities in food, drink, farming and fishing.

Strengthening Cornwall’s Food Economy

Ruth Huxley, Sector Development Director at Great Cornish Food, said:

“The Good Growth Programme has provided vital, practical support for Cornwall’s food and drink sector, helping businesses to invest, innovate and adapt at a time of significant change.

“Its approach recognises the importance of food and farming to our economy, environment and communities, and supports growth that is sustainable, resilient and future-focused. This kind of investment is essential to strengthening local supply chains and contributing to UK food security.”

Cornwall Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Investment, Councillor Tim Dwelly, said:

“Cornwall’s agri-food sector is one of the cornerstones of our economy generating over £1.5 billion in GVA every year and supporting thousands of livelihoods across the county.

“By investing in innovation, skills and sustainable manufacturing, our Good Growth programme is helping businesses to grow in ways that create jobs, reduce environmental impact and keep more value within the local economy. This demonstrates how locally managed investment can deliver real results on the ground, supporting everything from productivity and food security to climate goals and inclusive growth.”

Across the agri-food sector alone, the programme has invested more than £14 million since 2022. The funding has supported businesses to scale up production, reduce waste, improve sustainability and respond to changing consumer demand.

More information about the programme can be found on the Good Growth Programme website.