Success for Scottish Food Fortnight secures its future

Currently organised by the Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust (SCAET) the food fortnight showcase for Scottish food will next year be taken over by Scotland Food and Drink who have been tasked to provide strategic direction and leadership to the Scottish Food and Drink industry.

Nicola Chalmers-Watson, Director of SCAET said: “This year has been such a success with celebrity chefs, businesses, thousands of children and many communities across Scotland all promoting and enjoying Scottish food and local produce.

“Other highlights include the announcement that the Scottish Government is to support more resources for integration of food and drink into Homecoming Scotland 2009, whilst there was also the launch at Holyrood of the Scottish Countryside Alliance Awards which focus on the exceptional work of individuals and businesses in rural Scotland.

“So we are handing over Scottish Food Fortnight in great shape to Scotland Food and Drink who have the resources and commitment to take the whole event even further. We wish them every success. We will now concentrate on taking the good news about the countryside and local produce to the Scottish public in other innovative ways.”

Paul McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink said: “As the industry leadership organization, we are delighted to be taking on the design, co-ordination and delivery of the event in the future. Scottish Food Fortnight provides the food and drink industry with a strong platform to build awareness with consumers about the fantastic industry that exists on their own doorstep as well as encouraging them to interact with local food and drink producers throughout the country.

Notes to Editors:

1. For all Scottish Food Fortnight events, please visit this link:
http://www.scottishfoodfortnight.co.uk/index.php?option=com_displayevents

2. The Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust (SCAET) is a registered Scottish charity which was set up by the Scottish Countryside Alliance in 2003, in recognition that Scotland's population is becoming increasingly urbanised and removed from the countryside. In five years of activity, SCAET has become involved in a variety of projects which introduce young people to the countryside and country sports, promote training for rural employment, support rural communities through encouraging rural business and enterprise, and promoting the countryside as a place for work and leisure.

3. The Scottish Countryside Alliance (SCA) campaigns for the interests of rural communities and businesses in Scotland. It works in partnership with the Scottish Parliament and various relevant organisations to find balanced solutions to countryside issues ranging from the impact of fuel costs on businesses to the best methods for successful land management.

4. Scotland Food & Drink was launched as a private limited company in the summer of 2007. Its primary aim is to bring everyone involved in food and drink together to work to a common and shared agenda that will deliver greater success in global markets. The goal is to grow the industry from £7.5 billion to £10 billion over the next decade.

Scotland Food & Drink is a unique private-public initiative and there has never been anything like it before – it is led by the industry, supported by Government and is challenged to work across the whole industry. The scope covers all aspects of food and drink: the drinks industry – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and from small farmers to large corporations.

Their vision is to make Scotland internationally known as 'The Land of Food and Drink' and their mission is to place Scotland amongst the top 3 of the world's producers of premium food & drink products.

The Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee.
Registered in Scotland No SC326213
Registered Scottish Charity No SC034859

Registered Office: West Mains Cottage, Royal Highland Showground, Ingliston, Edinburgh EH28 8NF