The industry body Scotland Food & Drink has launched its annual celebration of the sector, Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight.
Now in its 12th year, Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight 2021 takes place from Saturday 4 to Sunday 19 September and will celebrate the regional diversity Scottish food and drink has to offer.
This year, Scotland Food & Drink wants to encourage more people than ever to buy, eat and promote Scottish food and drink and be part of the nation’s biggest food and drink celebration.
The campaign will shine a spotlight on the nation’s best food and drink producers, the passionate chefs using local and Scottish ingredients and the national retailers, local shops, markets and cafés that are putting Scottish food and drink front and centre.
Despite a particularly turbulent 18 months for the Scottish food and drink sector, with COVID-19 and Brexit having a massive impact on suppliers and producers across the country, Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight 2021 is all about looking forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead within the industry.
From community initiatives that started up during lockdown to the growing network of regional food groups, food and drink businesses that are embracing the Net Zero and climate change agenda to the entrepreneurs or start-ups with a fantastic new story to tell, they are in the spotlight during the Fortnight.
James Withers, Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink, said:
“We are delighted to launch this year’s Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight, celebrating all of the brilliant suppliers, producers and brand champions that our sector has to offer. Like all areas of life, Scotland’s food and drink industry has faced significant challenges in the past 18 months, but our ambition remains the same – to be a land of exceptional produce for our local communities as well as international markets.
“The industry is alive with passionate and talented people, long-established brands and young, innovative businesses who have adapted quickly, taking the challenges of the past 18 months in their stride. Supporting local producers is so important and we continue to see a real pride in what is being reared, grown and manufactured on our doorstep.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP commented:
“Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight is an excellent way to showcase all that Ayrshire and Scotland has to offer.
“Even with the SNP Government’s assistance schemes, Scotland’s producers, farmers and fishers have had to be resilient throughout the pandemic, only to face the extreme challenges brought about by Brexit.
“The SNP Government recognises the importance of this sector, which is why - following extensive collaboration between the SNP Government, its enterprise agencies and food and drink trade bodies - the Scotland Food & Drink Recovery Plan was launched in November 2020.
“The SNP Government has committed support of £5 million in 2020/21 and £5 million in 2021/22 towards the plan, which contains 50 actions to support all sectors of Scotland’s food and drink industry to recover from the impacts of COVID and Brexit.
“In the meantime, I encourage you to visit the Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight 2021 website to learn more and to plan your next visit to support local producers and enjoy their delicious foods and drinks.”
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