Scottish Food Fortnight 2008 is set to launch with almost 60 events taking place across Scotland over a two week period involving schools and numerous participants from the food and drink industry.

Nicola Chalmers-Watson, Director of the SCA Educational Trust (SCAET) which organises Scottish Food Fortnight said: “There are two pictures of Scottish food and drink. Many think we only have deep fried Mars Bars, chips and cakes to offer the world. Yet we have a huge variety of the most delicious and sought after food. Salmon and other seafood is exported to many countries, whilst our venison, Angus beef and countless other foods have the highest of reputations with chefs and supermarkets around the world.

“We want the public to take some of the great opportunities Scottish Food Fortnight offers to sample and taste the best of the country’s food and drink.”

Richard Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, officially opens Scottish Food Fortnight at SCAET’s Countryside Day at Glamis Castle on Friday 5th September 2008.

It will be the first in a programme of events which will include farmers’ markets, exhibitions, samplings, and discussion of important issues such as attracting the best talent into the food and drink industry. The events will take place nationwide from the Outer Hebrides to the Borders and at many points in between.

Mr Lochhead said: “Scottish Food Fortnight is one of the premier events in the food and drink calendar, showcasing the wonderful world-class produce that Scotland has to offer. Since I launched last year’s event, we have taken major steps to develop our first-ever national food and drink policy to achieve the freshest finest future for Scottish food and drink.

“The time is right for a fresh new future for Scottish food and drink – there is a real enthusiasm to make changes to the way we eat, buy, produce and sell food and drink. It is vitally important that we continue to work on improving the nation’s diet and having increased access to the excellent produce our farmers and other suppliers provide is a step in the right direction.”

Mr Lochhead will join 1000 pupils from a variety of Scottish schools for the launch and he will also enjoy a ‘Homecoming Scotland 2009’ dish especially designed and prepared to mark the occassion. Also attending over the weekend will be Lady Claire Macdonald, the world renowned cook who is also the Patron of Scottish Food Fortnight.

Ends
For more information, please contact:

Peter Kane

Tel:                  01463 871600
Mobile:           07742 308213
Email:             This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
                       
www.scottishfoodfortnight.co.uk
www.scaet.org.uk
www.scottishcountrysidealliance.org

Notes to Editors:

1. For all Scottish Food Fortnight events, please visit this link:
   http://www.scottishfoodfortnight.co.uk/index.php?option=com_displayevents
   
2. The Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust (SCAET) is a registered Scottish charity which was set up by the Scottish Countryside Alliance in 2003, in recognition that Scotland's population is becoming increasingly urbanised and removed from the countryside. In five years of activity, SCAET has become involved in a variety of projects which introduce young people to the countryside and country sports, promote training for rural employment, support rural communities through encouraging rural business and enterprise, and promoting the countryside as a place for work and leisure.
3. The Scottish Countryside Alliance (SCA) campaigns for the interests of rural communities and businesses in Scotland. It works in partnership with the Scottish Parliament and various relevant organisations to find balanced solutions to countryside issues ranging from the impact of fuel costs on businesses to the best methods for successful land management.
4. Scotland's Countryside Festival is now in its 6th year and is the largest event of its type in the East of Scotland.
   
   The primary contact regarding Scotland's Countryside Festival Weekend is
   Catriona Morrison 01250 875712; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
   Website address: http://www.scotlandscountrysidefestival.co.uk
   
   The festival is run by Jade Promotions Ltd is a family business based in Blairgowrie, Scotland. Charlie and Kate Walker own the company, Catriona Morrison assists them. They have two events at Glamis Castle, Forfar, both in the first weekend of September each year. They are also involved in the site management and administration of several other events on both a practical and consultancy basis.