Salmon Wagon is the perfect publicity vehicle for Mowi
They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but that’s exactly what Mowi Scotland served up when it decided to road test its fundraising “Salmon Wagon” at the company’s Consumer Products UK headquarters in Rosyth in Fife.
Staff at the secondary processing plant were able to choose between a salmon fillet in a bun or a fillet on a bed of noodles from the wagon, which will be used by Mowi to raise funds for good causes.
From next year the wagon – complete with Mowi salmon and chefs - will be made available for charities across Scotland to use at events, with proceeds from the sale of the food going straight to their funds.
Canadian concept
The Salmon Wagon concept was developed by what was then Marine Harvest Canada, when one was created for the British Columbia company’s large summer barbecue. Local organisations began asking if they could borrow it, and the use for charity developed from there.
There are now Salmon Wagons in Chile and Poland, and Mowi Scotland’s director of communications and business development, Ian Roberts – who is from Canada - has been keen to get one operating in Scotland.
“We are excited to launch the Mowi Salmon Wagon to staff at our Rosyth HQ. Soon we will be hitting the road with the wagon and we can’t wait to see the response at the trial events we plan to attend,” said Roberts.
“Most importantly, it will be great, after months of planning, to finally launch the wagon and start raising money for charities and communities across Scotland.”
Festivals and events
Roberts had hoped to source a vintage Citroen van to convert into the Salmon Wagon, but the age and condition of available vehicles made that impractical. Instead, the Wagon is built on a modern chassis with retro corrugated metal coachwork.
This summer the Salmon Wagon will be visiting the company’s offices and sites across the country before heading to a series of festivals and events, including the Eilean Dorcha Festival (EDF) on Benbecula on July 26-28 and Lochaber Agricultural Games on Saturday, August 24.
From 2020, charities will be able to apply to have the Salmon Wagon at their event. Information on how to apply will be released later in the year.