THE people of West of Scotland are passionate supporters of the food and drink produced in their area, according to a recent poll commissioned by Scotland Food & Drink for St Andrew’s Day. The survey revealed that 88 per cent of locals regularly buy home-grown Scottish produce.
The poll concluded that the people of West of Scotland favour the traditional dish haggis with 33 per cent of those surveyed choosing it as their favourite Scottish food. Eleven per cent of respondents chose mince as their Scottish food of choice while ten per cent went for salmon.
Eight per cent of locals mentioned beef and steak and a further seven per cent chose lorne (flat) sausage.
James Withers, Scotland Food & Drink chief executive, said:
“St Andrew’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate Scotland’s natural larder and it’s clear from this survey that the Scottish people are loyal to their local food and drink producers. Scottish food and drink is increasingly recognised as a byword for excellence and our shoppers are voting with their wallets.”
Further findings from the survey showed that other Scottish classics beefs, salmon, mince and porridge made up another 34 per cent.
Other regional results included four per cent of respondents in Tayside choosing local favourite Arbroath Smokies as their favourite Scottish food. Interestingly, one per cent of Northern Scots chose the unique delicacy Guga, which is gannet meat from the Outer Hebrides.
Venison was named fifth most popular food in Edinburgh, while Lorne sausage filled that position in Glasgow.
James Withers added: “It’s not surprising that haggis topped the poll of favourite foods; it is a national treasure! However, Scotland is blessed with an extraordinary diversity of products. We land on these shores perhaps a greater variety of seafood than anywhere on earth and we’re the world’s third-largest producer of farmed Atlantic salmon.”
The Scotpulse survey questioned more than 1,000 Scots from across the country in the run up to St Andrew’s Day on 30 November.
More information on how to prepare a special menu for St Andrew’s Day is available at www.scotland.org/nightin.
Numerous events are taking place across Scotland to celebrate St Andrew’s Day. Information on days out across the country or inspiration for hosting the perfect night in can be found at www.scotland.org/winter
For more information contact Martha Bryce or Stephen Jardine on 0131 225 7205; martha@tastecommunications.co.uk; Stephen@tastecommunications.co.uk
Notes to editors:
- Scotland Food & Drink is an industry-led, commercially-focused membership organisation which aims to grow the value of the country’s food and drink sector to £16.5bn by 2017 and its vision is to build Scotland’s reputation as a Land of Food and Drink www.scotlandfoodanddrink.org.
- The online survey was conducted 8 – 11 November 2013 to a representative sample of Scottish adults (16+) via ScotPulse panel omnibus.
- The sample size was 1,138 adults across Scotland.
- Questions asked were:
- Do you regularly buy home-grown Scottish produce?
- How important to you is it that the food you buy is produced locally?
- What is your favourite Scottish food?
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Contact: Martha Bryce
Phone: 0131 225 7205
Email: martha@tastecommunications.co.uk
