Scottish Sea Farms and M&S celebrate 20 years together
Scottish Sea Farms will host smoked salmon tasting events for M&S Food customers in Edinburgh this Friday and in Oban on Tuesday next week as it celebrates the 20-year anniversary of its supply partnership with the retailer.
SSF, which is also celebrating its own 25th birthday this year, is M&S’ exclusive fresh salmon supplier.
M&S Food sources around £300 million of goods from Scottish suppliers each year, working with 4,000 farms, sea farms, and fishing vessels. More than 2,500 M&S products contain Scottish-sourced ingredients, and 60% of the protein sold by M&S comes from Scotland.
The tastings are being held during Scottish Food & Drink September, a month-long celebration honouring the people, products, and produce that make the sector special. It is organised by Scotland Food & Drink, a private sector membership organisation established and led by the food and drink industry.
The 20th anniversary of SSF’s supply partnership with M&S coincides with the fish farmer’s launch of its Billy Baa farm in Shetland, which is being stocked this month. Billy Baa has a maximum biomass allowance of 4,091 tonnes and is sited slightly further offshore than previous farms in the area. Hydrodynamic modelling found the site offered better growing conditions, but without any increase to overall environmental load.
Peter Kennedy, head of agriculture and aquaculture at M&S, said: “Scottish Food and Drink September is all about showcasing the fantastic quality of Scottish produce, which makes it the perfect time to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of our long-standing, trusted partnership with Scottish Sea Farms. Together, we are committed to supplying our customers with the best quality salmon sourced to the highest standards, and these shared values are key to the success of our partnership.”
New chapter
SSF managing director Jim Gallagher said: “We’re incredibly proud to be the exclusive fresh salmon supplier to M&S, bringing our delicious, premium produce to households across the UK through this partnership.
“Twenty years on, we are just as energised and excited about the partnership as ever, particularly as we enter a new chapter with the launch of our Billy Baa sea farm.”
SSF will hold tastings at M&S Edinburgh Princes Streetm Edinburgh, on Friday, between 1pm and 3pm, and at M&S Oban nest Tuesday between 10.30am and 11.30am.
