Young Black Isle entrepreneurs take bite of healthy-eating market

Fortrose Young Enterprise teenagers develop tool to encourage youngsters to eat well

By samantha chetwynd

Published:

THE BUSINESS: The Fortrose Young Enterprise team has attracted positive attention. Back row, from left: Augusto Fernandez, 19; Patrick Boyer, 17; Andrew MacKenzie, 18; and Gareth Williams, 18. Front, from left: Erin MacLeod, 18; Angela McCallum, 17; Alana MacPherson, 18. David Whittaker-Smith

A healthy eating product developed by pupils from a Black Isle school is going from strength to strength and heading for the international market.

The teenagers from Fortrose Academy developed the fridge magnet and book that encourages youngsters to eat healthily as part of the Young Enterprise scheme.

The product has attracted the attention of top companies and the magnet is now being translated into French, German and Spanish.

The company, called Dimension, have scooped a range of top prizes in Highland, Scottish and UK heats of the Young Enterprise competition.

And next week the youngsters will represent the UK in the European finals in Stockholm.

Set up a year ago, the company sells the product in a number of local shops, nurseries and to parents.

The business has already made £1,500, of which about £500 is profit.

The product is a magnet in the form of a five-a-day rewards chart, which can be written on with a wipe-off pen, and book about a fictional character, called Harry, who is faced with unhealthy food at school.

It also contains healthy recipes.

The team consists of Patrick Boyer and Angela McCallum, both 17, Erin MacLeod, Alana MacPherson, Gareth Williams, Augusto Fernandez and Andrew MacKenzie, all 18.

Managing director Patrick, 17, said: “We already have the product in a nursery in France.

“Our school is linked to one in France, which is how we got into the nursery.

“They’re in English at the nursery, so it’s a good way for the kids to learn the language.

“Healthy eating is important everywhere, so we’re now having the magnets translated into German, Spanish and French.

“The products are made for us by a local company.”

Patrick said that while competing in Glasgow and London, several companies had approached the group about selling the product.

He added: “Six of us are going to Strathclyde University from next year, so we plan to carry on the business.”

Linda Thomas, chairwoman of the Young Enterprise Scotland Highland board, said: “I’m so proud of what they and their link teacher, Margaret Rhynas, have done. They are the most fabulous group of students.”