Cross Party Food Group – 18 June 2014

This was the Cross Party's first meeting since January, it is a group that includes five MSPs.

The main business was speaker Frank Strang, Scottish Government's Head of Food, Drink and Rural Communities who talked about the newly launched discussion document – Becoming a Good Food Nation.

Recipe for Success was produced in 2008-2009 and this new policy document replaces it. Recipe for Success addressed school food, waste food etc. This document is developed around a Scottish paradox- fifth in world for food related health problems yet Scotland has good quality food. The existing policy has been extended and reinforced.

The vision was spelt out by Mr Strang:-

'By 2025, people from every walk of life, will take pride and pleasure in the food served day by day in Scotland.

'An increase in Scottish food exports will attract overseas visitors and the quality of the food we serve will become one of the key reasons to travel to Scotland.

'Everyone will know what constitutes good food and why. All players in Scottish life – from schools to hospitals, retailers, restaurants and food manufacturers – will be committed to serving such food. Its ready availability will have contributed to improvements in children's wellbeing and hence outcomes.

'Scottish suppliers will have developed their offering so that local increasingly equals fresh, healthy and environmentally sound.

'The most intractable dietary-related diseases will have begun to decline as will the environmental impact locally and world- wide, of our food consumption.

'The food industry will be a thriving well-known feature of local and national economies, with each part of Scotland rightly proud of its culinary heritage, past and present.'

This is a long term thing requiring short term change. A Food Commission will be established in the Autumn to establish the priorities and it will appoint Good Food Champions.

Frank Strang said that there would be a move away from focus on five a day to concentrate on cooking. Scottish Government wanted inclusion for every walk of life debate, not just a middle class thing.

The meeting was asked what they were going to do, response is required by mid October. Would like this debated within all organisations, including SFMTA.

Asked how to alter Scots desire for unhealthy food, Frank felt that a voluntary approach should be continued and sited alcohol unit pricing as a particular problem that was taken to court. Observed that the barriers include public sector price constraints on what can be offered.

Meeting closed at 7:00pm