Livestock Producers Invited to Free Charcuterie and Direct Retail Workshops

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is running a series of free workshops in the coming months for levy payers throughout Scotland, who would like to learn more about adding value through charcuterie and direct retail.

These popular workshops offer an opportunity for producers to develop a set of skills, enabling them to diversify into the direct selling of red meat.

The adding value workshops will focus on the basic principles of charcuterie - curing and smoking. The morning session will be hands-on and the afternoon session will provide a demonstration of a range of continental style product and the different methods of preserving.

The direct retail workshops will be led by trainer Gordon Gibb and will focus on how to set up a red meat direct sales business. The workshop will cover: legislative requirements; the equipment required; profit margins; and re-investment. This particular workshop is suitable for both new entrants and established businesses which may need to re-evaluate their operation.

Course manuals are available for all the sessions. Participants will receive these free of charge, on the day.

“These workshops use local produce and provide producers with the skills and confidence to diversify into new areas,” said Kathy Peebles, QMS Livestock Development Manager.

“Over the past two years a number of workshop participants have gone on to start successful businesses selling home produced red meat directly to consumers through farmers markets, farm shops or the internet.”

Venues:

Adding Value through Charcuterie (Product supplied by QMS)

• Tuesday 5th November, Thainstone Auction Mart, 9am - 5pm
• Wednesday 6th November, Kincraig Community Hall, Inverness-shire, PH21 1NB, 9am - 5pm

Direct Retail Workshops (Course manual supplied by QMS)

• Tuesday 3rd December, St Johnstone Football Ground, Perth, 9am - 5pm
• Wednesday 4th December, Thainstone Auction Mart, 9am - 5pm

Booking is essential for these free, popular courses as places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To book your place contact Kirsty at QMS on 0131 472 4040 or email info@qmscotland.co.uk with your name, address and telephone number, stating which of the courses you would like to attend.