| 19/05/06
 NFU Scotland is supporting the message of Scottish Food Fortnight,
                  the brainchild of the Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational
                Trust. Scottish Food Fortnight (SFF) is now well established as a promotional
              forum for Scottish food and drink. The SFF campaign raises awareness
              and appreciation of the stunning array of fresh and frequently
              hand made Scottish produce which is becoming more readily available
              via the network of farmers markets and specialist retail outlets
            across Scotland. The campaign aims to encourage people to buy from small rural
              businesses as a way of supporting the Scottish countryside. The
              campaign has grown quickly and last year had over 270 participating
              food and drink businesses. This year Scottish Food Fortnight will run from Saturday September
              2nd through to Sunday 17th September inclusive, and will be launched
              at Glamis Castle on Friday 1st September as part of Scotland’s
              Countryside Festival. NFU Scotland President, John Kinnaird, said: “I’ve always maintained that the ‘consumer is
              king’ and increasingly, despite the control that supermarkets
              have over food retailing, I believe that to be true. More and more,
              we hear of consumer concern over food miles and their desire for
              locally produced, fresh food that, in its production, is helping
              to sustain local Scottish communities. Scottish farmers can meet
              this demand, given the right opportunities and promotion. “NFU Scotland is committed to getting across the positive
              message about farming and we fully support Scottish Food Fortnight.
              I hope that we can help them by promoting the event and encouraging
              producers to become involved. “I wholeheartedly support any event that is promoting Scottish
              agriculture and Scottish produce to consumers.”    
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