The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Angus Soft Fruits have berry good night
Berry producers Angus Soft Fruits picked up two major gongs at the inaugural Co-op Scottish Supplier awards in partnership with Scotmid.
They took home the Own Label Supplier of the Year and Fresh Product of the Year for their Ava Rose strawberries at an event to mark Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight.
Other local suppliers lined up alongside household name brands to be awarded in categories including Bakery of the Year, Beers, Wines and Spirit Product of the Year, Most Sustainable Supplier and Investor in Scottish Communities.
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing praised the winners and the array of Scotland’s natural produce being celebrated during Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight.
He said: “Our food and drink sector is currently worth around £14 billion per year but, by working with producers and partners in the sector, we aim to double that by 2030, by ensuring that more people at home and abroad get the chance to enjoy what Scotland has to offer.”
Stephen Brown, local sourcing manager at Scotmid Co-operative, said the standard in all of the categories was extremely high and underlined the excellence in the industry.
He said: “The first year of this event has been a success and Scotmid aims to continue being involved because serving and celebrating the best local Scottish produce is something we’re proud to have done for the past 160 years.”