Supermarkets assured ministers last week that they will continue to give full support to Scottish food producers and processors during the tough economic climate.
At the first-ever meeting of the Scottish Retailers’ Forum, ministers met with representatives from the UK’s leading supermarkets, Scotland Food & Drink and the Scottish Retail Consortium.
The minister for environment Roseanna Cunningham and the minister for public health Shona Robison heard how the global economic situation is affecting supermarkets, producers and suppliers.
Forging better links between food producers and retailers, the developing national food and drink policy and the public health agenda were also discussed.
Speaking after the talks in Edinburgh, Cunningham said: “This was a welcome opportunity to discuss how we can work together to help ensure a sustainable and profitable future for our retailers, farmers, producers and suppliers.
“More people than ever before want to know where their food comes from, how it is grown and the impact production has had on the environment.
“Our developing national food and drink policy is looking into how to support better choices in terms of provenance, health and environmental sustainability.
Robison said: “Obesity continues to be a challenge in Scotland,which cannot be tackled by government alone. Retailers have already begun to tap into the enormous potential they have to encourage their customers to make healthier choices and I look forward to developing this work with them in the next few years.”
Paul McLaughlin, chief executive of Scotland Food & Drink, said: “There is growing demand for Scottish produce both in Scotland and across the UK and we must all shoulder the collective responsibility to uphold our reputation as a ‘A Land of Food and Drink’.
“Supermarkets and multiple retailers have a pivotal role to play to grow that reputation as well as being the catalysts for collaboration, innovation and the development of skills throughout the supply chain.”
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