Urquhart Castle beside Loch Ness (©photo by Chosfeldt, courtesy of morgueFile.com)

"Eating food that's in season means enjoying food at its peak in terms of flavour. It can also make a difference to the weekly shopping bill, as more abundant, in season food is often cheaper.”

Better flavor may be the best reason to eat fresh, local and seasonal food, but better nutrition, more affordable pricing, and sustainability are pretty good reasons as well. But, buying from a local, trusted farmer is not universally possible and many grocery stores offer few clues as to which items are in season.

Research carried out on behalf of the Scottish Government found that the majority of Scots are not aware what food is in season and when - as they have become accustomed to having all the meat, fish, fruit and vegetables they want, all year round.

Peak Flavour & Often Cheaper

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said, "Scotland's seasonal larder offers a fantastic array of fresh produce. This was demonstrated on the global stage last week when the international culinary contest in Lyon, the Bocuse d'Or, selected Scotch Lamb and seafood as its key ingredients.”

Last Thursday, Mr. Lochhead joined top chefs for an in season cooking challenge in Edinburgh to launch the Eat in Season campaign. The challenge tested the chefs' cooking skills by challenging them to cook up a delicious meal in five minutes, using five in season ingredients.

"Eating food that's in season means enjoying food at its peak in terms of flavour. It can also make a difference to the weekly shopping bill, as more abundant, in season food is often cheaper,” said Mr. Lochhead.

The Sustainable Choice

Increased awareness that it is a better choice to buy and consume fresh and in season food will not only support Scotland's economy, but contribute towards a healthier population and a greener, more environmentally sustainable country.

Mr. Lochhead said, "I'm sure that as Scots become more aware of what's in season they will see how easy it is to incorporate tasty and seasonal produce into their everyday lives."

To learn more about seasonal eating in Scotland, go to: Cook Scotland, Eat in Season

To view a previous post on the topic, go to: Going Organic in Scotland

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