|
Demand for Scottish produce has increased in the past year. Launching the sixth annual Scottish Food Fortnight , a showcase for Scotland's food industry, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead celebrated the growing consumer demand for locally-grown produce. Speaking at today's launch at Glamis Castle, Mr Lochhead said: "Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in the provenance of what they buy. They want to know where their food comes from and they want to support local producers. "Supermarkets recognise this increased demand for Scottish food. I know that one leading supermarket has increased sales of Scottish products in Scotland by 20 per cent and in the rest of the UK by 14 per cent in the last year. "The Scottish Government wants the freshest, finest future for Scottish food which is why we are busy developing Scotland's first-ever National Food and Drink Policy. "The seismic shift in consumers' preference for Scottish food shows that the public also want to do their bit to support the local producers. "We are also seeing more people grow their own food for their own consumption and for local sale. Food prices are forcing us to turn back the clock and become more self-sufficient." Mr Lochhead also announced plans to ensure Scotland's world-wide reputation for food and drink was at the heart of next year's Homecoming Scotland celebrations. He said: "Homecoming will celebrate some of Scotland's great contributions to the world. Our food and drink is up among the best so we need to ensure those returning home next year get to sample it and become international ambassadors for our industry. "The Scottish Government is therefore funding a post dedicated to ensuring food and drink is properly showcased during Homecoming." Scottish Food Fortnight is organised by the Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust, a charity which aims to reconnect people with the countryside. The event has proven so successful in showcasing the wealth and quality of Scottish produce that the trust feel it has outgrown them. The trust has requested that responsibility for the event is transferred to Scotland Food and Drink which will take over the event next year. The National Food and Drink Policy for Scotland will be the first cross-cutting policy on food and drink developed in the UK. The activity groups have been asked to report back with initial findings and recommendations by early 2009. The workstreams being taken forward in preparation of a National Food Policy for Scotland are: * supporting the sustainable economic growth of the food and drink industry
* supporting consumers and working with the food and drink industry to support healthier and more environmentally sustainable choices through better food education about its impact on health and environment
* celebrating and ehancing Scotland's reputation as a land of food and drink
* walkingthe talk - getting Government to lead the way
* affordability, access and security in relation to food http://www.scotland.gov.uk |
