Countdown to a Local Christmas

12.00.00am GMT Tue 2nd Dec 2008

With the countdown to Christmas already started, local Parliamentarians Malcolm Bruce MP and Alison McInnes MSP have announced they are backing the NFU Scotland (the National Farmers' Union Scotland) campaign to encourage people to buy local, Scottish food and drink for their fare over the festive period.

As part of the What's On Your Plate? campaign for food and farming, the NFUS is offering up suggestions as to what fantastic Scottish food people can prepare for their Christmas meals. They will also be giving ideas as to where people can buy the ingredients locally in Aberdeenshire.

Commenting Mr Bruce said:

"Scottish food and drink is of superb quality. As well as growing or rearing a superb selection of food and drink, Scottish farmers deliver so much more. They maintain the countryside on which our tourism industry depends, they help to maintain rural communities and they offer a local choice which helps to fight 'food miles' and climate change. Most importantly, they help secure the health of your family by providing fresh, healthy food and drink for your dinner table."

Alison McInnes MSP agreed and added:

"To know where the food you are putting on your plate is coming from and that it hasn't lost any nutritional value in processing and transportation is of great importance.

"The fact also remains that we are able to have the best of products in season when we buy locally. The farmers markets in our area sell a vast array of products and we have farm shops that stock everything from vegetables to eggs and home bakes."

Anna Davies, NFU Scotland Public Relations Manager, said:

"Scotland's farmers deliver a large number of benefits but far and away the best reason for buying local, Scottish food and drink is because it tastes so fantastic!

"Over and above this however, we need to ensure that we support Scottish farmers so that they remain the cornerstone of our countryside. With food security becoming a great concern, Scotland must have the ability to produce its own food and the only way we can do that is if we help our farmers to stay in business. So please support them - and benefit your shopping basket at the same time!

"What I find interesting, and very encouraging, is that buying local is just as good value for money. In fact, I have found that many things, especially fresh locally grown vegetables, are cheaper to buy in farm shops or at farmers' markets than in the supermarkets. In a time of 'credit crunch' people will be very pleased to hear this and I hope that it can dispel the myth that local food is more expensive.

"Please Back Scotland and Buy Scottish!"

ENDS