Salmon Scotland chief executive Tavish Scott, left, listens to Scottish Government minister Jim Fairlie at Aquaculture UK on Tuesday. Fairlie will chair a taskforce that aims to increase the use of locally grown food in public sector catering.

Salmon farmers welcome push for more local food in public sector

Salmon 'has an important role to play in schools, hospitals, and other public settings'

Gareth Moore Gareth Moore editor
Published Modified

Scotland’s salmon farmers have welcomed the announcement of a Scottish Government-led taskforce that aims to help the public sector source more locally produced food.

The Public Sector Food Procurement Taskforce will bring together representatives from across the food system, including producers, processors, and procurement specialists, and will be chaired by agriculture, marine and islands minister Jim Fairlie, who officially opened Aquaculture UK in Glasgow this week.

A spokesperson for trade body Salmon Scotland said: “This is a welcome commitment from the Scottish Government to support more Scottish produce in public sector catering.

“Scottish salmon is a healthy, nutritious, and responsibly produced food that is enjoyed around the world and has an important role to play in schools, hospitals, and other public settings.”

At the heart of the economy

Announcing the creation of the taskforce at the Royal Highland Show yesterday, First Minister John Swinney said: “Food producers and processors are at the heart of our country’s economy – sustaining businesses and jobs across Scotland, including our rural and island communities, and this government will always champion them.

“This taskforce will strengthen the use of Scotland’s fantastic local produce in public sector environments – whether that is catering in hospitals, schools or government offices.”

Swinney added that sourcing food locally brings significant environmental benefits, reducing the miles food needs to travel from production to plate. It will also mean more people can benefit from fresh and nutritious produce, helping them to live healthier lives.

More salmon served

The first meeting of the taskforce is due to take place later this summer, and "will work at pace" to provide a range of recommendations to Scottish ministers.

“We look forward to working with the new taskforce to identify opportunities for more Scottish salmon to be served across the public sector,” said the Salmon Scotland spokesperson.

“That would support jobs and investment in rural and coastal communities while giving more people access to high-quality Scottish food.”

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