Food and drink producers will next week be able to apply for a share of a £3million funding pot.

Growing Kent & Medway, a cluster of businesses which aims to help drive innovation and growth in the horticulture and food and drink sectors, will allow applications for the fund from September 6.

Those applying for money can receive individual awards of up to £250,000.

It revealed it had secured the funds for the research and development grants for projects "that support inclusive economic growth and environmentally sustainable practices and innovations" earlier this summer.

The money will assist projects that aim to "develop green technologies, processes or products for horticultural food and drink businesses" in the county.

Tracey Westell, area lead for the Kent and Medway Federation of Small Businesses, said: "This grant is particularly welcome as furlough support begins to tail off.

"There are still considerable challenges facing the food and drink industry, however. The recent problems with labour shortages affecting supply chains are particularly pertinent and we are pleased the grants aim to focus on tackling the big issues many of our members are facing.”

Growing Kent & Medway is supported by government funding provided through UK Research and Innovation’s flagship Strength in Places programme.

Click here to register your email for details on how to apply when applications open.

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