SCOTTISH FOOD FORTNIGHT highlights environmental benefits of local produce
Sourcing local produce for food and drink could bring a
variety of environmental benefits say the organisers of Scottish Food Fortnight
(6th-21st September). Buying locally helps to reduce the
number of ‘food miles' - the distance food travels from the
producer to the consumer.
Food miles have increased over the past two decades with
more produce being transported for longer distances around the world. This has
an inevitable negative impact on the environment and with fuel prices at high
levels, the cost of food is also going up.
Nicola Chalmers-Watson, Director of the SCA Educational
Trust which organises Scottish Food Fortnight said: "We want to encourage
more Scots to think about sourcing their food and drink locally for a variety
of reasons. It can be very good for the household budget as costs at source are
usually lower than buying through many shopping outlets. It is also better for
the diet as buyers can access wonderful Scottish produce which is of a high
quality and nutritionally superior.
"Then of course there are reduced transport costs,
lower food miles with food getting more quickly to the consumer and resultant
fewer carbon emissions. On top of all this the food is fresher and better when
in season.
"Producers of food and drink have a lot to offer to
the country and we will be showcasing much of it at 59 events during Scottish
Food Fortnight. We want to see Scots getting out to those events and
discovering how they can enjoy better food, often at a lower cost to their
finances and the environment in general."
Scottish Food Fortnight launches at Glamis Castle
in Angus on Friday 5th September during SCAET's Countryside
Day at Scotland's
Countryside Festival. The programme of events 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.
For more information, please contact:
Peter Kane [email protected]
www.scottishfoodfortnight.co.uk
www.scottishcountrysidealliance.org
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. SCAET's Countryside Day is
supported with funds kindly donated by NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, Aberbrothock
Charitable Trust, Angus Community Grant Scheme, Lethendy Charitable Trust, Four
Winds Trust, Forfar Academy and an anonymous donation, the Countryside Day will
bring together S1 and S2 pupils and their teachers from schools in Angus,
Dundee, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeenshire and Fife.
5. 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 [email protected]
Website address: http://www.scotlandscountrysidefestival.co.uk
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