Scottish shoppers challenged to buy local food

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has pledged to increasingly consider where his food comes from and source more food from Scotland wherever practical. Mr Lochhead said: "Food is a vitally important issue which impacts on many aspects of Scottish life - health, business and environment. "Scotland has a fantastic range of seasonal quality food and there is a growing appetite among consumers to source more home-grown produce.

"There is far more to food than what we put on our plate. By making healthier choices from Scotland, consumers will not only have the ingredients to help make up a healthier diet but will also be supporting Scottish farmers, fisherman and our food industry. "I'd like to encourage everyone to take up the challenge and think Scottish produce first." A debate about a national food policy will be launched later this month, aiming to get everyone with an interest in food to contribute to a long-term vision for Scottish food. A national food policy will bring together health, education, economic and tourism issues through more collaborative working.