Study marks start of Scottish Food & Drink September
A MASSIVE 84% Scots want to buy more Scottish food and drink products, according to data from The Knowledge Bank, Scotland Food & Drink’s insight hub.
The research also found that Scottish food and drink is preferred by half of all UK shoppers (52%), English shoppers (51%) and Northern Irish customers (50%).
The findings come as Scottish Food & Drink September returns for its 17th year, with a month-long celebration of Scotland’s world-class food and drink. Originally set up by Scotland Food & Drink as a fortnight to celebrate the sector, the month-long campaign encourages food and drink businesses to showcase all that’s great and good about Scottish producers, which collectively contributes to the £19 billion sector.
Launching this year’s campaign, Scotland Food & Drink chief exec Iain Baxter visited Heather Hills Farm in Perthshire to hear the stories behind the family-run business’s honey production.
The farm, run by Managing Director Mark Noonan, has been producing 100% pure Scottish honey since 1945. The business operates 500 hives, housing 20million hard-working bees, and uses traditional collection and extraction methods to keep the honey as nature intended.
The award-winning honeys are then bottled by hand into their uniquely designed, proprietary glass jars ribbed and shaped like a skep – an old-fashioned beehive, traditionally woven from wicker, or straw.
Noonan said: “We like to think of our heather honey as the champagne of honeys. Like wine production, honey’s quality and flavour profile is directly related to the land and flora from which it is sourced. We’re blessed to be in this beautiful area of Scotland where heather abounds naturally. Our landscape gives us a natural advantage to make the premium and delicious product range for our customers.”
Baxter added: “Mark and the team at Heather Hills embody everything that Scottish Food & Drink September is about: Deeply rooted in the Scottish landscape that surrounds them and the environment that gives Scotland a competitive edge in producing high-quality food and drink products.
“Heather Hills has an amazing story to tell, and the evidence shows that brands that champion their Scottish provenance are being sought after by consumers. So, communicating those stories effectively, particularly during this celebratory month, is a win-win for producers and buyers alike.”
Cabinet Secretary for Economy Stephen Flynn said: “Scottish Food & Drink September celebrates the people and passion behind our world-class food and drink. This month is about championing our natural larder, backing local producers and sharing the stories that shape the sector.
“I’m proud of Scotland’s food and drink industry, which is creating jobs, boosting local economies, and putting Scottish produce on plates at home and around the world.”
To find more information on the campaign and how to support Scottish food and drink near you, visit this link: foodanddrink.scot/events-and-membership/scottish-food-drink-september.
