SCOTTISH FOOD FORTNIGHT SUCCESS SECURES FUTURE

Once again, in its sixth year, Scottish Food Fortnight has been deemed a great success, with over 100 food and drink events taking place right across Scotland, including a series of events within the Scottish Parliament and 40 Farmers Markets. When Scottish Food Fortnight drew to a close on 21st September, it was with the exciting news that its future development has been secured.

SFF has been organised and funded by the Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust (SCAET) for 6 years, and has grown from strength to strength. The fortnight was set up to raise awareness amongst Scottish people of the wealth and quality of the wonderful produce available on their doorsteps, and to encourage support for small, local producers and retailers. SFF has now become the national showcase for food and drink, and there is no doubt that people’s demand for local, seasonal produce has developed enormously in 6 years. Government support for the industry has led to the establishment of Scotland Food and Drink, who have been tasked to provide strategic direction and leadership to the Scottish food and drink industry.

This public investment in, and recognition of the importance of the food and drink industry is to be supported. The Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust is delighted that this new organization has identified Scottish Food Fortnight as key to the future of the food and drink industry, and that they will take over the organization of the fortnight from 2009 onwards. SCAET will work closely with Scotland Food and Drink to ensure the future development of SFF, but the new organizers will have significantly more investment to plough into the future of SFF, to make it bigger and better than ever before.

“Other highlights include the announcement that the Scottish Government is to support more resources for integration of food and drink into Homecoming Scotland 2009, whilst there was also the launch at Holyrood of the Scottish Countryside Alliance Awards which focus on the exceptional work of individuals and businesses in rural Scotland.

 “So we are handing over Scottish Food Fortnight in great shape to Scotland Food and Drink who have the resources and commitment to take the whole event even further. We wish them every success. We will now concentrate on taking the good news about the countryside and local produce to the Scottish public in other innovative ways.”

Paul McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink said: “As the industry leadership organization, we are delighted to be taking on the design, co-ordination and delivery of the event in the future. Scottish Food Fortnight provides the food and drink industry with a strong platform to build awareness with consumers about the fantastic industry that exists on their own doorstep as well as encouraging them to interact with local food and drink producers throughout the country.”