SAC Consulting | Food & Enterprise

We work with the food & drink industry across Scotland (and beyond) to support sustainable growth through a range of diverse business services.

From strategic marketing or sales advice and tools, to sustainable packaging and product development, data and technology development, business coaching and business skills training, or diversification - we have the right industry experience expertise to help you grow.

We also deliver circular economy strategy and support including carbon management plans, life cycle analysis, carbon knowledge exchange, resource benchmarking and mitigation advice, and we have a growing expertise in green finance. We think strategically about your natural assets and how these can deliver positive outcomes for you business.

Nurturing success in your food and drink business

As part of Food & Footprint, the food and enterprise team is interwined with industry, policy and education in the food and drink sector, which gives us a unique perspective and insight to advise and support you.

Whatever your business needs, you are guaranteed a friendly reliable, independent, and expert service.

Get in touch with the team

New product development

Our food and enterprise team has years of expertise in delivering new product, reformulation and recipe development projects with SME's, entrepreneurs and larger food and drink producers all over Scotland.

We also have a wealth of knowledge in other specific complementary business areas such as start-up, business planning, selling skills, branding, marketing and exporting and can build a bespoke package suitable for your needs.

Get in touch with our team to discuss your next product.

Business skills support

We have years of experience in delivering business skills, growth learning, CPD and training courses to a wide range of clients all over Scotland and the UK. We deliver multiple levels of courses and workshops across the food and drink supply chain, suitable for entrepreneurs, managers and seasoned businesses.

We will work with you to ensure our courses and workshops are tailored to meet your business needs and aspirations.

Let us help

Diversification

We work with all kinds of clients: farmers, smallholders, crofters, new entrants, estates, land owners & managers, among others within the rural sectors. We will work with you to ensure that whatever diversification you are pursuing is the most suitable, successful, and sustainable option for your business.

Examples of enterprises we can support you with include agri-tourism, rural-tourism, retail, hospitality, forestry, renewable energy, food and drink, leisure, wedding venues, event spaces, diversifying crops or livestock (establishing markets for your crops/livestock), visitor experiences, and activity centres.

Speak to our experts

Carbon literacy training

Futureproof your business with carbon literacy training. Our accredited training has been designed specifically for agricultural, food and land-based businesses by SAC Consulting and Keep Scotland Beautiful.

The one-day course will provide a recognised qualification and the same foundational knowledge to level the playing field towards the Just Transition to net zero, no matter if participants manage a fame, an SME or a multinational.

Click below to find out how to get the accreditation.

How to get accredited

THRIVE

THRIVE is a free collaborative initiative from SAC Consulting, SRUC and Queen Margaret University supporting the next generation of food and drink and rural enterprise entrepreneurs. Following three successful years in 2021, 2022, and 2023, discussions are underway to deliver THRIVE 2024.

THRIVE helps students, recent graduates, and micro businesses gain essential business skills and knowledge to further develop their business idea – whether product or service – including concept development, planning, pricing, marketing, pitching, and access to general business support information.

Help your business thrive

Food and Drink TechHUB Business Support Service

The TechHUB Business Support Service helps food and drink producers, manufacturers and wider supply chain businesses in the Highland Council to grow by providing business support, technical advice, events and workshops.

This 3 year project funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) supports businesses through a number of support packages including Bespoke 121 Support, Common Interest Groups (CIG), Learning Journeys, Innovation Clinics, Networking Events, Workshop and Technical Webinars.

How TechHUB supports you

Food biodiversity: reflecting on our past to reshape our future.

Lessons from the world

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Nature-related risks and opportunities for your business

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Sustainable packaging

Choosing the Right Sustainable Packaging Strategy For Food & Drink MICRO AND SMEs

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Case studies library

Our case studies

Special projects

Learn more

Skills self-assessment for land-based tourism operators

This guide will introduce you to the concept of land-based tourism and give an introduction into how you may want to assess yourself, your business, and your team for growth opportunities.

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Understanding the different types of land-based tourism

This helpful guide takes you through many of the opportunities for land-based tourism. It’s not always accommodation, or a food and drink experience! Sometimes it’s as simple as highlighting a walking trail or hosting educational events for the public. Find out which type of land-based tourism suits you best.

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Understanding different types of skilling, upskilling, reskilling and training for land-based tourism operators

Do you know the difference between skilling, upskilling, training and reskilling? This handy guide will explain all of the skills opportunities out there, from Higher Education Degree courses all the way through to online webinars and resources you can access in your own time.

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Skill areas for land-based tourism operators

This guide will get you thinking differently about the different skills and training you may need to access depending on what type of enterprise you want to run. Do you need tourism qualifications? Food Safety certifications? Or Business Leadership skills? Discover new areas of skill-building here.

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Suggested skills pathways for land-based tourism operators

Do you have an existing business and want to upskill yourself and your team? Or do you know exactly what type of business you want to start? This suggested skills pathway guide can shortcut some of the thinking for you and outline exactly what type of skills and training you may want to consider (and who provides it).

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Resources for land-based tourism operators

This resource provides you with a list of skills and training providers, tertiary and distance education providers, and on-demand skills platforms. This is the resource list for all courses and providers listed throughout this toolkit.

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Want to know more?

Our work

From industry publications to customer case studies and outputs from some of our special projects and research, dive into the detail and see our work for yourself.

Our expertise in action