Food Secretary Richard Lochhead has welcomed the commitment from Brakes to double the amount of food from Scottish suppliers to a total of £150 million.
With Food and Drink turnover in Scotland reaching a record £14.3 billion, Mr Lochhead will meet with some of Scotland’s top catering companies today. He will welcome progress to date, and encourage the sector to champion fresh, healthy, local produce and ask what more the Government can do to help them support Scottish produce.
Mr Lochhead said:
“When it comes to food and drink the Scottish brand is a hallmark of quality at home and abroad. This commitment from Brakes to double their sourcing of Scottish products is fantastic news and a perfect example of what can be achieved if we are ambitious for the sector in Scotland.
“Quite simply, local produce should be the first option and it should be the norm. That’s why I am meeting with some of our top caterers today to ask them to champion Scottish food and drink and find out what more the Government can do to support their efforts.
“I am looking forward to discussing how the innovative and dynamic food service sector can do even more to support Scottish producers, play their part in ensuring Scotland eats more fresh, healthy and tasty local food and help Our Food and Drink Industry build on a record breaking £14.3 billion turnover.”
Duncan Gibson, Managing Director (Corporate) at Brakes, said:
“The procurement of Scottish food is a key part of Brakes Scotland’s business; today, we buy over £70 million worth of Scottish food that we sell across our European network.
“We’re incredibly excited by the opportunity to work with Scottish food suppliers, and Scotland Food & Drink, to double this figure.”
NFU Scotland’s Food Policy Manager John Armour commented: “The commitment made by Brakes to double the value of food which it sources from Scottish suppliers demonstrates the growing value of Scotland’s food and drink credentials.
“With farm-gate prices low across a number of sectors this commitment from Brakes must be backed up by a commitment from all food service and catering companies that they will source sustainably, securing a future for all of those in the supply chain. NFU Scotland will be writing to food service companies asking them to lay out their commitments to Scottish agriculture going forward.”
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