Scottish farmers in the Cairngorms provide free venison for schools and foodbanks

Two farms that have received funding for new deer larders in the Cairngorm National Park have promised to donate four tons of culled venison to schools, foodbanks and community kitchens each year.

Glenkilrie Farm near Blairgowrie and Knockbarry Farm near Pitlochry, were awarded grants by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to purchase and manage new deer larders. As part of the Cairngorms 2030 project, some of the venison is processed into mince, meatballs, burgers and sausages and given away for free.

To ensure the project becomes financially self-sustaining, venison from the larders will also be sold to local retail outlets, hotels, and restaurants.

Culinary Director at Eat Wild, Leon Challis-Davis, told ST: “We as a community/industry can be inspired and encouraged by news like this. I would like to see large contract caterers like Thomas Franks, Chartwells, Holroyd Howe and Sodexo start to champion wild sustainable meat such as venison, on the thousands of school menus they look after across the entire British Isles. I believe they could really impact the deer crisis in this country quite literally overnight”