Growers and suppliers in Scotland will benefit from a new public sector food procurement taskforce to address barriers to supplying more local produce
A new public sector food procurement taskforce will help address barriers to public sector caterers buying more produce from Scottish producers.
Scottish producers will be supported to maximise the use of locally produced food in public sector settings including schools and hospitals, under the plan outlined by Scottish First Minister John Swinney at the recent Royal Highland Show.
“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,” said Swinney.
“Doing so will offer an important boost to local food producers including farmers and crofters and help to grow Scotland’s agricultural economy – supporting our rural communities to thrive,” he added.
The taskforce, which has members from across farming, food production and buying in Scotland, will have its first meeting later this summer.
It is due to work at pace to provide a range of recommendations to ministers, the Scottish government said.
