Our weekly round-up of the latest news, products, facts and events for foodies

Highland Aldi stores to trial reusable bags

From the end of November, Aldi stores in the Highlands are to trial reusable bags for loose fruit and vegetables in an effort to cut single-use plastics.

The drawstring bags are made from recycled plastic bottles and will be sold for 25p each.

Fritz Walleczek, from Aldi, said: “We are committed to cutting the amount of plastic that Aldi and our customers use, particularly excess or single-use plastic like produce bags.

“We are hopeful that our customers in the Highlands will embrace these new reusable produce bags whenever they’re buying loose fruit and veg and, together, we will be able to take more than 100 tonnes of plastic a year out of circulation.”

Earlier this year, Aldi trialled selling cabbages and cauliflowers without any plastic packaging in all its Scottish stores.

Scotland’s best bangers

Congratulations to A&I Quality Butchers from Culloden for winning the Best Traditional Sausage, Scotland category in the hotly contested UK Sausage Week Awards.

A member of QMS’s Scotch Butchers Club, the Highland butcher is committed to using Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork from quality assured farms to help guarantee excellent taste and delicious flavour in every sausage sold.

Donald Russell Butcher in Inverurie received the Innovation category award at the ceremony, which was held at Butchers’ Hall in London.

For recipes, videos and tips visit scotchkitchen.com

Christmas sandwich season

M&S Food has launched its Shelter festive lunch collection with three new festival flavours on offer, including a second vegan option.

These include the Plant Kitchen Nutcracker Sandwich, Steak & Peppercorn Sauce Sandwich and Yule Hog Roll, each priced at £3.50.

Other festive sandwiches available include turkey and pigs in blankets, £3.50, smoked salmon and cream cheese,£3.30, and three bird roast, £3.80.

New role for sheep farmer

A sheep farmer from Aberdeenshire swapped her fields for shopping aisles to support a campaign promoting Scotch Lamb PGI.

Michelle Stephen, of Meikle Tillyeve Farm near Udny, visited Morrisons in Inverurie to tempt shoppers with a taste of lamb as part of a roadshow delivered by Quality Meat Scotland.

“Coming along to sampling events like this gives us the perfect opportunity to engage with local shoppers on the importance of buying produce that supports local farmers,” said Michelle.

By looking out for the blue Scotch Lamb PGI logo, shoppers can rest assured that what they are serving to their families is of the highest standard possible.

Visit scotchkitchen.com/scotch-lamb-naturally to find new recipes using Scotch Lamb with a preparation time of 30 minutes or less.

Aldi says it is committed to reducing the plastic it uses