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Supporting local produce

Catering company to double food sourced in Scotland.

Food Secretary Richard Lochhead has welcomed the commitment from Brakes to double the amount of food from Scottish suppliers to a total of £150 million.

With Food and Drink turnover in Scotland reaching a record £14.3 billion, Mr Lochhead will meet with some of Scotland’s top catering companies today. He will welcome progress to date, and encourage the sector to champion fresh, healthy, local produce and ask what more the Government can do to help them support Scottish produce.

Mr Lochhead said:

“When it comes to food and drink the Scottish brand is a hallmark of quality at home and abroad. This commitment from Brakes to double their sourcing of Scottish products is fantastic news and a perfect example of what can be achieved if we are ambitious for the sector in Scotland.

“Quite simply, local produce should be the first option and it should be the norm. That’s why I am meeting with some of our top caterers today to ask them to champion Scottish food and drink and find out what more the Government can do to support their efforts.

“I am looking forward to discussing how the innovative and dynamic food service sector can do even more to support Scottish producers, play their part in ensuring Scotland eats more fresh, healthy and tasty local food and help Our Food and Drink Industry build on a record breaking £14.3 billion turnover.”

Duncan Gibson, Managing Director (Corporate) at Brakes, said:

"The procurement of Scottish food is a key part of Brakes Scotland's business; today, we buy over £70 million worth of Scottish food that we sell across our European network.

"We're incredibly excited by the opportunity to work with Scottish food suppliers, and Scotland Food & Drink, to double this figure."

Notes To Editors

Mr Lochhead will meet representatives from the catering industry on September 17.

The total spend in the UK Foodservice sector (excluding alcohol) in the year ending June 2015 was £51.3 billion.

Brakes are grocery and fresh food suppliers to pubs, restaurants, education and all other catering industries in the UK & Ireland

 

Channel website: http://www.gov.scot/

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