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More Scots turning to local food
22/12/2009
Scotland's thriving food and drink industry is well placed to inspire other sectors into recovery in 2010.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead made the bold prediction as a new survey revealed that 60 per cent of Scots will be eating local, seasonal produce this Christmas.
The figure for those living in the Highlands and Islands is as high as 75 per cent.
Mr Lochhead also paid tribute to the food and drink industry for achieving a series of impressive milestones in 2009, including:
- The Publication of 'Recipe For Success' - Scotland's first National Food and Drink Policy
- Scottish food and drink exports up eight per cent in 2009
- The target to grow Scotland's food and drink industry has been expanded to 12.5 billion by 2017
- 21 per cent increase in sales of Scottish brands in British supermarkets
- Increase in farm shops and farmers markets backed up by new investment
- £20 million awarded under the Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation (FPMC) scheme, with almost 4,000 jobs created or safeguarded
- A new Retailers' Charter involving major supermarkets committed to stocking more Scottish produce
- All beef, lamb, milk, chicken and 97 per cent of fresh fish used in the Scottish Government's canteens is now Scottish
The new Scottish Opinion survey of over 1000 people showed that:
- 60 per cent will be buying or using more local food this Christmas
- 17 per cent say "eating more healthily" will be their New Year Resolution
Mr Lochhead said:
"We can all help celebrate Scottish food and drink this Christmas. We are fortunate in Scotland to have some of the best quality butchers, grocers, supermarkets and delicatessens stocking fresh, locally sourced food.
"And it's fantastic that so many Scots are recognising the value and importance of eating local, seasonal produce. There is a growing appetite for Scottish produce at home and abroad - the number of shoppers buying locally produced food has almost doubled in just three years.
"We already know that more people are cooking at home from scratch during the recession. According to Scotland Food & Drink 37 per cent of people expect to buy more local food over the next few years - which is encouraging news for our farmers, fishermen and producers.
"While 2009 has been a massive year for enhancing Scotland's reputation as land of food and drink, we are not complacent. I am looking forward to launching a new drive to encourage more people to support the sector early next year.
"2010 promises to be another hugely significant year for food and drink. We can get off to the best possible start and give local producers a massive boost by eating Scottish where possible this Christmas."
NFU Scotland Chief Executive, James Withers said:
"Farmers up and down the country are playing a growing part in driving the food and drink industry in Scotland forward. To build on this momentum, everyone involved in the food and drink chain needs to play their part in delivering a good news story that goes all the way from field to fork.
"We also need to ensure that we build on the tremendous support we continue to receive from Scottish consumers for our produce. The response from the public to our festive food campaign, highlighting the contribution that Scotland's farmers will make to Scotland's food and drink industry this Christmas, has been simply fantastic."
Omnibus research was conducted by Progressive Scottish Opinion over the week beginning December 1, 2009. 1008 individuals aged over 18 weighted to be representative of the Scottish population by age, gender, social grade and region were asked a number of questions.
NFU Scotland has already launched its festive food campaign, highlighting the contribution that Scotland's farmers will make to Scotland's fantastic food and drink industry this Christmas.
There have been ongoing improvements in the amount of fresh Scottish produce used in the Scottish Government's staff canteens, for example, only Scottish beef and lamb is sourced. The Scottish Government's new Catering Services contract comes into force next year and we are using Scottish-sourced ingredients for the majority of products on our Christmas menus.