THE BENEFITS OF LOCAL SOURCING

CONSUMERS WANT IT!

Q 54% of Scottish shoppers are more likely to choose products clearly labelled as Scottish

Q 56% of shoppers look for products with clear provenance

Q 57% actively choose local products to minimise food miles

RETAILERS BENEFIT!

Q Supports the local economy and local jobs

Q Creates a point of difference from nearby competitors

Q Strengthens relationships with the local community

Q Generates shopper loyalty

Q Drives footfall, sales and profits

Q Minimises food miles

Q Helps create in-store theatre ey encompass the entire food and drink retailing sector – from the smallest deli all the way up to the supermarkets. Similarly, the SRFDAs take in producers and suppliers of all sizes from one-person artisan businesses to global giants. If their products are made and marketed in Scotland, they can enter.

A quick glance through the list of nalists will con rm this, with products from Aldi and M&S on the shortlist, along with well-kent names like Mothers Pride and Equi’s rubbing shoulders with brand’s you’ve possibly never heard of, like Nudie Snacks and Puddledub.

And that’s very much the point, as SRFDA Sales Director Helen Lyons explains: “We aim to unearth the very best products that Scotland has to o er – then help get them on shelves across Scotland.”

“Every product is judged on its own merits – not compared to others – during a fair and transparent month-long judging process which gives all products the same opportunity to win regardless of where they came from.”

All winners and shortlisted entrants are permitted to carry the SRFDA on-pack logo, something that – as we’ve already seen – helps in uence buying decisions and grows sales.

Supporting Scotland

Since their inception, the Awards have attracted a prestigious band of sponsors and partners, all of whom recognise the importance of local sourcing, particularly products from smaller businesses.

Spar Scotland, for example, are supporting the Awards for the third year in a row. e company’s CEO, Colin McLean, said: “As a family-owned business with more than 100 years of history in serving hundreds of communities across Scotland, we understand just how important it is to support the country’s many fantastic small local producers.”

Commenting on the SRFDAs, McLean added: “We view this as a fantastic celebration of Scottish food and drink but with a clear commercial aim: to grow sales for both small producers and the retailers who stock their products.”

He concluded: “Supporting small, local producers helps sustain local economies across Scotland, it helps safeguard jobs and it helps minimise our impact on the planet thanks to signi cantly reduced ‘road miles’. is is a great opportunity to help Scotland’s local suppliers grow and thrive.”

Local Food Champions

e Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) is another SRFDA sponsor which demonstrated its commitment to local sourcing with the launch of a new Wholesale Local Food Champion training programme.

e programme encourages Scotland’s wholesalers to appoint an individual to take responsibility for shaping the local sourcing strategy within their business.

Colin Smith, SWA Chief Executive, said the goal is to see wholesalers nominate at least one individual within their business to be trained to become a Wholesale Local Food Champion.

“ ese champions will then have an excellent knowledge and understanding of the importance of a strong, local food and drink supply chain –and become a point of contact for suppliers to start engaging with your business,” Smith said.

“Comprehensive training will also include one-to-one mentoring support with each champion receiving a certi cate of completion and Wholesale Local Food Champion marque to help producers easily identify individuals/ wholesalers that can potentially help support their business.” e programme is fully funded and backed by the Scottish Government, and the rst 20 Champions start training this month.