Tayside and Fife residents are being urged to “eat local” to help firms in the region and boost Scotland’s recovery.
Cabinet Secretary and local MSP John Swinney is keen to see support for local producers grow in the coming year and wants constituents to make a New Year resolution to buy local produce wherever possible, help local businesses and cut down carbon emissions.
Mr Swinney, who has backed NFU Scotland’s “What’s on your plate?” campaign, championed the issue throughout 2010, visiting farms and producers, local food and drink factories and distilleries, and opened the Perthshire Farmers’ Market and supported farmers’ festivals.
He said, “We have world-class produce in North Tayside and I’ve continuously backed campaigns that support our superb food and drinks industry.
“North Tayside is blessed with a host of livestock farms, organic vegetable producers, butchers, bakers, and other producers who are at the forefront of the food and drink sector.
“Several North Tayside businesses have been very successful in the Scottish Meat Trade Fair Awards Scheme and world Scotch pie championships.
“As we start 2011, it is a good time to remind people of the fantastic range of produce available on our doorstep.”
Scotland’s food and drink sector saw sales increase by a billion pounds over 2007-08 and hopes remain a further sales upturn in coming years. The sector has been hailed as a fantastic success story by the Scottish Government and one that will play “a key role” in Scotland’s economic recovery.
Consumers at home and abroad have been credited with playing a vital role by recognising the quality of Scots produce.
The MSP said, “Local businesses, from farmers to markets, to shops and restaurants, can all benefit by consumers using their buying power to favour local producers.
“Of course, local is relative but the closer to home the better, as the smaller the distance something has travelled the better for you, the local economy and indeed the planet.
“It’s incredibly easy to support local farmers, support the local economy and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.”