A Scottish MSP has called for the country's schools and hospitals to serve only organic food.
Mark Ruskell, a Green Party member of the Scottish Parliament, wants a mandatory requirement for all public sector kitchens to serve organic food.
His plan is based on a policy introduced in Denmark, where the Government has a goal of ensuring that 60 per cent of the food served in public institutions, including care homes, nurseries and prisons, should be organic.
His call was welcomed by the environmental charity the Soil Association.
Aoife Behan, policy manager of Soil Association Scotland, said: "We believe that all public sector bodies should be beacons of good food, and the Denmark example shows that it can be done. Through our Food for Life Scotland programme, we know that Scottish local authorities are also making great strides."
Earlier this year, in its annual organic market report, the Soil Association said that more schools, hospitals and workplaces were now serving organic food - up by 19.1 per cent in 2016.
Demand had been strongly driven by its Food for Life Catering Mark, it said. The association said some £15 million was now spent on organic food in the sector - an increase of 66 per cent.
'Good food'
Aoife Behan told FarmingUK: "North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, Stirling and Aberdeen City Council all source organic food for their school meals. From our experience, using organic produce does not necessarily lead to higher food costs in public sector kitchens.
"In fact, it can bring many other benefits such as increased access to seasonal fruit and vegetables, higher staff morale in public sector kitchens and positive environmental outcomes.
"We believe, with support and leadership from government and clear prioritisation of good food, that high quality food is achievable in Scotland's public kitchens.
"The Scottish Government has promised to consult on a Good Food Nation Bill and targets for organic food in the public sector should be part of this package of measures.
"Serving fresh, healthy, sustainable public meals can not only make a real difference to our nation's health, but can play a key role in contributing to Scotland's economy.
"It's time to get good food on the menu in all public sector organisations. If the government can achieve this, it will achieve its vision for Scotland: a Good Food Nation."
Inspiration
Mark Ruskell made his call for an organic procurement policy in Scotland during an interview with the Sunday Herald.
"The public sector is a way to drive these healthy food cultures," he said. He said Scotland should take inspiration from politicians in the Danish parliament in Copenhagen on the issue.
"I've looking at the amazing work that's happening in Copenhagen and many other countries in Europe showing the way by using public procurement and the public purse to drive forward a health agenda when it comes to food."
He said a compulsory organic policy was something that Scotland should be looking at for public procurement.
Another organic plan proposed by another Green MSP was blocked by the Scottish Parliament in early 2003.
That proposal was to convert 20 per cent of Scotland's farmland to organic farming within 10 years. However, Mark Ruskell told the Sunday Herald that Scotland was now ready for a more radical approach.
Sales are up
The Soil Association has just released new figures showing that demand for organic food in the UK is booming.
Sales of produce grew by 7.4 per cent in the 52 weeks to July 1, according to figures compiled by Nielsen.
Sales of organic dairy, the largest overall market sector for organic, were up 2.3 per cent. The fruit sector was up 12.6 per cent and vegetables 1.9 per cent. Sales of organic butter have surged by 9.2 per cent, organic tomatoes are up 13.1 per cent and sales of organic salad have risen 7.9% since last year, with summer growth even higher at 9.2 per cent.
The organic market overall was up by four per cent, according to the figures. Nielsen reported that 82 per cent of UK consumers now bought at least one organic item per year - up from 79.5 per cent in 2016. With more than 8,000 stores nationwide currently stocking organic products, the market was now worth more than £2 billion.
The Scottish Government has said there are no current plans to introduce a mandatory requirement for organic food to be served in the public sector.
However, it said it was continually looking at ways to improve the food that was served in the public sector. It would work with a wide range of stakeholders and interested parties to examine what further action could be taken.
