By a Newsnet reporter
Scotland’s annual celebration of all that’s best from land and sea is now underway.
This 2012 Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight kicks off today (Saturday 1st September) and, as the name suggests, runs for the next two weeks.
The aim of Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight is to encourage consumers to discover, buy and enjoy the food and drink produced on their doorstep, building Scotland’s reputation as a ‘Land of Food and Drink’.
Over the course of the next two weeks, 200 events are set to take place over the length and breadth of the country. From farmers markets to seafood festivals, dram tastings to a “Square Sausage Celebration”, there looks likely to be an event to suit all interests and tastes.
As part of the celebrations in 2012, for the first time, Edinburgh Airport is also to become a shop window for the best of Scottish produce and up to 25,000 passengers per day will be able to enjoy a range of Scottish produce on celebratory menus in Airport food outlets.
James Withers Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink, the organisers of Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight said the campaign emphasises the importance of local food to the people of Scotland.
He said: “The next fortnight is about celebrating everything that makes our nation a Land of Food and Drink. We are blessed to be living amongst one of the world’s finest natural larders and Scotland has a wealth of talented people – from chefs to the producers themselves – making the most of it.
“Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight offers the perfect opportunity to shout about Scotland’s fantastic food and drink from the rooftops and celebrate the wide variety of Scottish produce that we have to be proud of. From events across the country throughout the Fortnight, to individuals enjoying more of Scotland’s rich and diverse larder, the Fortnight offers something for everyone.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead urged everyone to get involved in Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight and added:
“Here in Scotland we’ve got a fantastic range of fine food and drink right on our doorstep and it’s great that so many Scots recognise the effort being made to promote Scottish produce.
“But we can always do more and the Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight is a great opportunity to introduce more people to our wonderful natural larders, as well as delivering a boost for our economy at the same time.
“This is especially true as we look towards the opportunities available in 2014 – from the Ryder Cup and the Year of Homecoming to the Commonwealth Games. The eyes of the world will be on Scotland and this is a wonderful opportunity for our produce to shine.
“I’m passionate about the food and drink our nation has to offer and am looking forward to doing all I can to support it, especially during Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight.”
Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight runs from September 1st-16th.
Celebrate Scotland’s fantastic food and drink at home or at any one of the great events around the country this September, Eat Scottish!
