Rural Payments and Services

Happier Mealtimes campaign highlights benefits of local, in-season food.

People across Scotland are being encouraged to make the most of fresh and in-season local food with the launch of the Scottish Government’s Food Provenance ‘Happier Mealtimes’ campaign.

Launched today (Wednesday 25th February) by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment Richard Lochhead, the Food Provenance ‘Happier Mealtimes’ campaign champions the eating and sourcing of fresh, in-season food, which is nutritious, tastes delicious and also has environmental benefits. The four-week campaign also provides advice on how to find and use these foods, including easy to make, tasty recipes from some of Scotland’s leading chefs and food organisations.

Mr Lochhead said: “Scotland’s food and drink is among the best to be found anywhere in the world. As we journey towards becoming a Good Food Nation I want us all to make the most of the abundance of fresh, tasty ingredients being produced right on our doorstep.

“The ‘Happier Mealtimes’ campaign will encourage Scots to look for local, in-season food which is fresher, full of flavour and good for the environment. It often works out cheaper too – meaning it’s a great way to keep shopping bills down while supporting your local economy.

“This is our Year of Food and Drink, making it the perfect time for us all to explore the wealth of tasty food from Scotland’s magnificent natural larder.”

Local and in-season produce is easy to find when you know how; from local supermarkets, greengrocers, fishmongers, butchers and regular farmers’ markets all over Scotland, there is a wide range of produce available to suit all tastes and budgets.

For tips and recipe ideas for local and in-season food, and to find out more about the ‘Happier Mealtimes’ campaign and pop up kitchen roadshow visits, visit www.greenerscotland.org.