Local food & drink competition back for 2024
![Two people stand outside a Scotmid store, one person holds a sign for the Scotmid Scottish Favourites Competition while the other holds a basket filled with Scottish produce.](https://scottishgrocer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Scotmid-Favourites-comp.jpg)
SCOTTISH convenience retail chain Scotmid Co-op is calling on Scottish producers once again as the Scotmid’s Scottish Favourites competition returns for 2024.
Working in partnership with Scotland Food & Drink, the competition is set to highlight some of the best food and drink options that Scotland has to offer.
Applications are now open to all Scottish food and drink suppliers across various product categories, with the chance for 16 different producers to be selected to pitch to the Taste Panel – a panel of food and drink experts – between 5 and 12 November.
Offering the opportunity to highlight some local produce from across Scotland, at least three of the winning products will secure an ongoing listing in Scotmid stores from early next year.
Steven Addison, category manager for local sourcing at Scotmid, said: “Local sourcing is incredibly significant to us, and we are privileged to collaborate with an exceptional variety of suppliers nationwide.
“Scotland genuinely boasts some of the finest food and drink globally and the quality of local products continues to improve each year.”
The returning competition is set to highlight and promote the “Naturally Scottish” brands by celebrating the individuals and products that make Scotland’s food and drink industry famous worldwide.
Further to this, the competition comes about as Scotland Food & Drink has announced its first ever Scotland Food and Drink September, expanding on the fortnight of celebrations of local food and drinks from prior years.
Helen Wallace, UK market development manager at Scotland Food & Drink, said: “We are thrilled to be working alongside Scotmid to deliver this project and further develop Scotland’s reputation as a land of food and drink.
“It’s crucial for producers to access retail opportunities to expand their businesses and the industry. Scotmid is highly regarded for supporting relationship development and providing entry points for smaller producers.”