Get more UK produce in Tesco stores, Lochhead urges

Food Secretary welcomes Tesco’s £2.1 billion worth of sales of Scottish produce.

Scotland’s Food Secretary Richard Lochhead has encouraged Tesco chairman John Allan to explore further opportunities to get even more Scottish produce into Tesco stores.

Mr Lochhead attended a Parliamentary reception with Mr Allan yesterday evening (Wednesday) to celebrate some of the great work Tesco is doing, working with Scottish businesses and producers to develop, grow and showcase some of the excellent Scottish products that will help Scotland move towards becoming a Good Food Nation.

Mr Lochhead said: “I was delighted to meet John to discuss options of how we can work together to increase opportunities for Scottish products south of the border.

“In recent years Tesco has developed a strong partnership with Scotland Food and Drink and, as a result of that partnership and other work, has witnessed has witnessed a £9.2 million increase in sales for Scottish suppliers, seen 72 new Scottish products land on their shelves, and created 10 new jobs in Tesco’s buying team.

“This shows the type of progress that can be made and I have encouraged the company to go further and continue to increase the amount of Scottish products they stock in stores across the UK. I am also keen to see Tesco work with us around wider food policy and do what they can to help us realise the ambition of Scotland becoming a Good Food Nation.

“Scotland has a fantastic natural larder that lends itself to some of the best food and drink around. I’m glad our hardworking producers, farmers, suppliers and processors are receiving support from Tesco, and I hope this partnership continues to grow as retailers and the food service sector play their part in helping Scotland become a Good Food Nation.

“But I want to make it clear that it’s not just down to our retailers and food service sector – it’s also down to the public who buy food and drink week-in-week-out. If local produce is available to you – and it certainly should be – then I encourage you to buy it. Support your local producers and plough something back into the communities they come from.”