THE people of Tayside are the greatest supporters of locally-produced Scottish food according to a poll commissioned by Scotland Food & Drink for St Andrew’s Day.
The survey found that 92 per cent of the local community claim they regularly buy home-grown Scottish produce.
The same survey revealed that one in three people named haggis as their favourite Scottish food, ten per cent preferred stovies, while perhaps surprisingly only four per cent favoured Arbroath Smokies as their favourite Scottish dish.
James Withers, Scotland Food & Drink chief executive, said about the findings:
“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.”
Other findings from the survey showed that one in three Scots recognise haggis as the favourite Scottish food across the country. Other Scottish classics beef, salmon, mince and porridge made up another 34 per cent.
Other regional specialities included stovies making the top five in Aberdeen, venison was named as the fifth most popular food in Edinburgh while Lorne sausage filled that position in Glasgow.
One per cent of respondents in Northern Scotland chose the unique delicacy Guga, which is Gannet meat from the Outer Hebrides.
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: Marta Bryce
Phone: 0131 225 7205
Email: martha@tastecommunications.co.uk
