Published on : Saturday, September 6, 2014
Children from Aultmore Park Primary School embarked on a food adventure to celebrate the launch of Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight. The Fortnight, which runs from 6 – 21 September, promotes the wealth of produce available in Scotland, offering people the opportunity to learn more about Scottish products, discover new tastes and meet producers.
A dozen pupils from the school in Easterhouse in Glasgow embraced their Fortnight food adventure challenge and got green fingered digging out some delicious, fresh and seasonal vegetables from the school’s allotment.
This year people are encouraged to embark on their own Fortnight food adventures to experience the best food and drink Scotland’s rich larder has to offer. From foraging or growing your own, like the pupils from Aultmore Park, to heading along to one of the many Fortnight events taking place across Scotland or even simply by trying a new Scottish ingredient or recipe, organisers are challenging the public to take stock of the culinary wonders right on their doorsteps.
Scotland Food & Drink chief executive James Withers said:
“The pupils at Aultmore Park have embraced their food adventure and their hard work and enthusiasm is evident in their bumper crop. We want people of all ages to get involved in the same way and try something new this Fortnight.
“Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight is the perfect opportunity to shout about Scotland’s delicious produce. Our world class natural larder offers premium produce which has earned us our reputation as a Land of Food and Drink.
“A host of diverse events are taking place around the country as part of the celebration ranging from food festivals and special menus to farmers’ markets and cookery demonstrations. There is something to appeal to all tastes, ages and budgets, with many of the events free of charge and numerous promotions in hundreds of retailers.”
Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Food Richard Lochhead said:
“My ambition is for everyone in Scotland to enjoy the benefits of our nation’s spectacular food and drink success. Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight continues to go from strength to strength with events the length and breadth of the country showcasing our outstanding larder. These are a great way to experience the fantastic produce we have on offer and I call on everyone in Scotland in make a special effort to celebrate our larder over the next fortnight and enjoy the fresh, local produce available on our doorstep.”
Deputy head teacher at Aultmore Park Primary School, Alison Pears, said:
“It’s great to see the children so enthusiastic about growing their own food – they really do see it as a food adventure. They are so excited to see what they have planted grow and flourish into something they can pick, eat and enjoy.
“I think it’s great that this year’s Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight is encouraging food adventures and I hope that more young people are inspired to grow try something new and explore the wonderful food and drink we have in Scotland.”
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said:
“Scotland’s food and drink offering has something to suit all tastes, quite literally! The next fortnight offers the perfect opportunity to explore and experience our country’s culinary delights, with a series of amazing events and festivals taking place across the entire country. I urge all Scots and visitors to Scotland to take the time to embark on their own food adventures, whether it’s cooking with Scottish produce, visiting a new restaurant or taking a trip to discover dining in a new location, it all helps raise awareness of our national larder.
“Worth an estimated £14bn to the Scottish economy, the food and drink industry has enjoyed strong growth in recent years. Food is an important part of the tourism experience, visitors to Scotland spend over a fifth of their budgets on eating and drinking, so the industry has the potential to provide significant growth for tourism. This year’s Food & Drink Fortnight is particularly significant, acting as the perfect starter to 2015’s Year of Food and Drink.“
Aultmore Park Primary School is part of Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Eco-Schools programme – an international initiative designed to encourage whole-school action on sustainable projects which includes educating young people on the benefits of growing their own food.
Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight will also act as an excellent introduction to the Scottish Government’s 2015 Year of Food and Drink celebrations and is a key part of the Year of Homecoming.
Tags: Food Adventures, VisitScotland
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