The Oban Times

Momentum builds as food and drink celebratio­n heads in to second week

-

Union getting behind #onethingfo­rtnight

NFU Scotland has been getting behind Scotland Food and Drink’s annual campaign to convert as many people as possible to buy fresh, local products.

With so much wonderful Scottish produce coming into peak season, this year’s Food and Drink Fortnight – which started on 2 September - has, through the #onethingfo­rtnight tag, been encouragin­g the public to buy something out of the ordinary, or cook something in a different way, or even switch from a foreign product to something locally sourced.

With one week to go, social media successes show that the Scottish public have been embracing the message and making small, everyday changes which will make a big difference to Scottish producers.

These have included switching from processed cheese in a packed lunch sandwich to cheese from a local dairy, using fresh Scottish raspberrie­s in a dessert, and having seasonal Scotch lamb chops for dinner.

The campaign has coincided with #LoveLambWe­ek and Quality Meat Scotland’s Wham Bam Thank You Lamb campaigns. It is hoped that a promotion of Scotch lamb will provide a much-needed boost to the meat’s popularity as peak season arrives.

Scott Walker, NFU Scotland Chief Executive, said: “Scotland produces some of the finest food and drink in the world and that is in no small part down to our farmers, crofters and growers who pride themselves in what they do day-in-day-out to produce some of the finest tastiest produce you will find anywhere.

“All too often we take for granted what is right here on our own doorstep. By being involved in campaigns like #onethingfo­rtnight, we as an industry are able to shout about our fantastic produce we have here in Scotland.

“It is important that the valuable momentum built up by Food and Drink Fortnight in week one is carried through, not just for the next week but in making lasting changes to the produce that Scottish consumers buy on a regular basis.

“I encourage everyone to search out Scottish food and drink and whether it is trying something you haven’t tried before or cooking something different with the fantastic ingredient­s we produce here in Scotland #onethingfo­rtnight is a chance to experiment and enjoy what farmers spend a lifetime producing for the people of Scotland.”

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom