By Ewan Pate, farming editor, at the Royal Highland Show

BUY LOCAL—EAT Local is more than a neat slogan. Royal Highland and Agricultural Society president Lord Jamie Lindsay firmly believes it is an approach which could prove to be very rewarding for everyone, from farmers to consumers.

Each year the RHASS appoints its presidential team from the area which would have hosted the show had it still travelled around the country. This year it is the Perth area. The positions are not entirely honorary with the expectation that the presidents supply a theme for the show.

Lord Lindsay said, “This year we met in Perth expecting to have a lengthy meeting to decide the theme for 2006 but in fact we made a decision in four minutes. Buy Local—Eat Local is such an obvious winner. It is a message for consumers primarily. They can derive multiple benefits from buying local food.

“There is an abundance of quality, it is fresher and there are also important issues of traceability and food safety. There is also a greater awareness of food miles and how far some food is flown to UK markets.”

Asked what impact this initiative could possibly have when the supermarkets have such a large market share, Lord Lindsay explained, “There is a hierarchy of opportunities, starting with farm shops and pick-your-own.

“Then there are farmers markets, hotels and hostelries all making the most of local food. Suddenly the multiple retailers then become more interested.”

The Buy Local—Eat Local initiative is also being supported by Fife Council, Perth and Kinross Council and Lord Lindsay’s vice-presidents, Peter Alexander, Robert Balfour, David Leggat and Russell Taylor.

Round in the food and drink hall there was business being done but not all on the buy local theme. Stallholders from around the UK were vying for custom.

There were Mediterranean olives and German sausages for sure but much of the real effort was coming from nearer home. Branded strawberries are the next move forward in the soft fruit business.

Angus Soft Fruits were doing brisk business with their variety Ava and KG Fruits who have around 20 Scottish members were launching Jubilee Driscoll. Nic Snell of KG said, “We welcome the competition. Both branded varieties will benefit Scottish customers and increase the strawberry market which is growing at 20% year on year.”

As an answer to negative criticism about polytunnels, he said simply, “Just look at the last couple of days and think how many strawberries we could have picked without tunnels.”

John and Nicola Fletcher were certainly supplying venison products with the minimum of food miles.

“Everything is produced on the farm at Auchtermuchty. The venison pies are made in Cupar but that is only nine miles return,” said Mrs Fletcher.

The health benefits of venison as a lean meat are well documented, and according to Edward Baxter, Scottish chairman of LEAF—Linking Environment and Farming—the visitors to the stand show there is a general level of awareness.

“Diet is the message. Leaf is committed to making local food affordable and available,” he said.