What significant contribution has the nominee made to their rural community?
Mark French has made a significant contribution to his rural community through his leadership in expanding The Country Food Trust’s work in Scotland, helping to create a practical “field to foodbank” model that connects rural land management with tackling food poverty. By supporting the development of a collection and distribution network for surplus game, Mark has helped transform an underutilised rural resource into a valuable source of nutritious food for those in need. This initiative ensures that high-quality game meat from shoots is processed and distributed to foodbanks, community kitchens and homeless shelters across Scotland.
His contribution is significant because it delivers a dual benefit: it sustains rural estates and associated employment while directly addressing food insecurity by providing access to protein-rich food, which is often unaffordable for vulnerable households. Through this work, Mark has demonstrated how rural enterprises can deliver wider social good, reinforcing the role of the countryside as a provider not only of economic value but also of vital community support.
What has been the impact on their rural community?
The impact of Mark French’s work has been both immediate and long-lasting across rural communities in Scotland. By enabling the redistribution of game meat, his efforts have increased access to nutritious, protein-rich food for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, helping improve physical health and overall wellbeing. This is particularly important as protein is often the most expensive and hardest food group for foodbanks to supply. At the same time, the initiative has strengthened the sustainability of rural businesses. By creating a reliable outlet for surplus produce, shoots and estates are better able to operate efficiently and
maintain employment, supporting local economies and supply chains. The scheme has also generated new rural jobs in areas such as transport, processing and logistics, while encouraging collaboration between land managers, local businesses and
community organisations.
How have they involved their rural community?
He has actively involved the rural community by fostering strong collaboration between estates, shoots, processors and local organisations to make The Country Food Trust’s Scottish operations successful. He has supported the recruitment and engagement of shoots to participate in the scheme, ensuring enough contributors to make collection routes viable and sustainable. This has encouraged wider participation from the rural sector, with new shoots continuing to join as the initiative grows. Mark has also helped connect rural producers with downstream partners, including game dealers and logistics providers, ensuring that the infrastructure—such as transport and cold storage—is in place to support efficient distribution. Crucially, he has helped build relationships between the rural community and charities, food banks and community kitchens, creating a strong link between those producing food and those in need of it.