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Jo SwinsonLib Dem MP for East Dunbartonshire |
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Support local producers this Christmas
December 4, 2008 11:33 AM
WJ Lewis butcher in Milngavie was praised by Jo recently after coming top in a local survey carried out for Scottish Food Fortnight
With less than a month to go until Christmas Day, Jo Swinson has joined with the National Farmers' Union Scotland in encouraging people to buy Scottish food and drink over the festive period.
As part of its What's On Your Plate? campaign for food and farming, the NFU Scotland will be offering up suggestions for Christmas meals using fresh, Scottish food and giving ideas as to where people can buy the ingredients locally.
Jo Swinson said:
"Christmas is a great time to enjoy the best of Scottish food and drink while also supporting local producers. Our farmers' markets in Kirkintilloch and Milngavie offer superb quality produce from a diverse range of stallholders. Shoppers can also be sure that the food and drink they are buying is local and has not travelled many 'food miles' to reach the market.
"Alongside the farmers' markets, local shops in this area supply a wide range of delicious Scottish products. Butcher WJ Lewis in Milngavie came out top of a recent survey of local shops stocking Scottish produce I carried out for Scottish Food Fortnight, but there was strong competition from plenty of other good local stockists.
"I am happy to support the National Farmers' Union Scotland What's On Your Plate? campaign and to encourage families in East Dunbartonshire to enjoy fresh, healthy, Scottish food and drink on their dinner tables this Christmas."
In the first instalment of local food news releases, NFU Scotland is covering starters and first courses:
• Why not start your Christmas dinner with some delicious homemade vegetable soup made of fresh seasonal Scottish vegetables such as carrots, potatoes or leeks? - for fantastic vegetables grown locally, why not visit Blairmains Farm Shop near Stirling? - www.blairmainsfarmshop.co.uk
• Alternatively, you could try pork spare ribs or perhaps make your own paté - for delicious pork, try Puddledub Pork - www.puddledub.co.uk
• Scottish cheese soufflés using eggs, cheese and cream, all of which our farmers are fantastic at producing, make an unusual but delicious option - Connage Highland Dairy make a great selection of Scottish cheeses - www.connage.co.uk
Anna Davies, NFU Scotland Public Relations Manager, said:
"Scotland's farmers deliver a large number of benefits but far and away the best reason for buying local, Scottish food and drink is because it tastes so fantastic!
"Over and above this however, we need to ensure that we support Scottish farmers so that they remain the cornerstone of our countryside. With food security becoming a great concern, Scotland must have the ability to produce its own food and the only way we can do that is if we help our farmers to stay in business. So please support them - and benefit your shopping basket at the same time!
"What I find interesting, and very encouraging, is that buying local is just as good value for money. In fact, I have found that many things, especially fresh locally grown vegetables, are cheaper to buy in farm shops or at farmers' markets than in the supermarkets. In a time of 'credit crunch' people will be very pleased to hear this and I hope that it can dispel the myth that local food is more expensive.
"Please Back Scotland and Buy Scottish!"
If you are an NFU Scotland member and would like your business to be featured in this directory, please email anna.davies@nfus.org.uk or call 0131 472 4020.
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