Some 62% of fresh meat, including Specially Selected Pork, as used by NHS Scotland and local authorities, is sourced from within Scotland, according to a new independent study which was part-funded by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).
“This is welcome recognition that the public sector appreciates the value of our Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb brands, as well as the quality assurance schemes which underpin these brands and Specially Selected Pork,” said QMS chairman, Jim McLaren.
“The results of this project, which will increase awareness of the provenance of food used in local authorities and NHS Boards, will benefit communities throughout the country and also the wider Scottish food industry.”
A further 34% of fresh meat, used by the public sector, came from the rest of the UK, according the “Sustainable Food and the Procurement Process Project” which drew its conclusions from a “random one week period”.
Scotland’s Food Secretary, Richard Lochhead, added: “It is extremely encouraging to get a snapshot into the provenance of foods being used by our public sector bodies. We are now on a journey towards becoming a Good Food Nation and the findings of this project will help us further develop our sourcing policies.”