Earlier this week, Appetite for Angus had the privilege of heading to Edinburgh after being invited to the Scottish Parliament by Lloyd Melville, MSP for Angus South, for his parliamentary debate spotlighting our region’s world-class soft fruit industry.
Sitting up in the gallery while the Scottish Parliament debated the future of our soft fruit sector was a proud moment for Appetite for Angus. It served as a powerful reminder of our county’s agricultural clout. Angus is celebrated across the country for producing world-class fruit, but having that vital contribution recognised at ministerial level is essential for our growers and local rural economy.
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A Friendly Rivalry (Though We Know Who Wears the Crown)
Naturally, you cannot get politicians in a room to debate Scottish soft fruit without stirring up some passionate regional pride.
The debate saw plenty of good-humoured jostling between members championing their own patches. Representatives from Perthshire and Fife made their cases with gusto, and while we will graciously tip our hats to our neighbours for growing fantastic fruit, everyone in the chamber knew deep down where the true crown belongs. Between our maritime microclimate, rich soils, and generations of growing pedigree, Angus berries remain unmatched, a point made loud and clear throughout the discussion.
A Seat at the Table with Key Decision-Makers
Beyond the friendly banter, the day gave us vital time with key figures shaping the future of Scottish food and agriculture.
One of the standout highlights was speaking directly with Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands. With his own farming background, he brings an innate understanding of the commercial realities, energy pressures, and logistical hurdles facing primary producers. We were able to speak candidly about what rural food businesses need right now, from supply chain resilience to greater support for getting local produce onto the public plate.
This made our conversation around the new Public Procurement Taskforce, chaired by Minister Fairlie, all the more encouraging. Having a dedicated ministerial taskforce focused on untangling procurement barriers creates real momentum for regional growers and producers looking to supply public institutions.
It was equally rewarding to spend the day alongside our valued Appetite for Angus members, Angus Soft Fruits. As pioneers in the sector, they represent the best mix of agricultural heritage, cutting-edge fruit breeding, and commercial drive. Seeing our members actively contributing to national policy conversations highlights why regional collaboration works: when producers and regional networks speak with a unified voice, Holyrood listens.
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The Backbone of the Angus Economy
It is easy to think of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries simply as a seasonal treat, but for Angus, the berry sector is serious economic business.
- Jobs & Livelihoods: Soft fruit growing supports hundreds of livelihoods across Angus, from seasonal harvest teams and agronomists to packhouse crews, cold-chain transport operators, and sales teams.
- Regional Supply Chains: The ripple effect across the local economy is massive. Growers invest heavily in local haulage, packaging, agronomy, and machinery maintenance, circulating capital directly within rural Angus.
- National Standing: Angus fruit sets the benchmark for Scottish provenance on shelves and restaurant menus nationwide.
Without a thriving soft fruit sector, the economic and social fabric of rural Angus would look drastically different.
Food Resilience: How Does Angus Feed Angus?
Our Holyrood visit also gave us a platform to raise bigger questions about food resilience.
Angus is one of the most fertile, productive food-growing regions in northern Europe. Yet in an era of unpredictable supply chains and climate disruptions, it begs the fundamental question: how does Angus feed Angus in a crisis? True food security isn’t just about the volume we grow; it’s about having short, robust, and accessible supply chains that ensure local people can access the bounty on their doorsteps.
Getting local produce onto the public plate is central to that resilience. Why shouldn’t fresh, nutrient-dense Angus berries and regional produce be a regular feature across our local schools, hospitals, and care homes? Reforming procurement systems so public kitchens can easily source from regional growers doesn’t just nourish patients and pupils—it guarantees reliable, anchor markets for our producers and keeps public investment circulating within our regional economy.
Grassroots Action: Out-of-School Clubs Pilot
Talking about resilient food systems is one thing; putting it into practice is where real change happens. We were delighted to share news at Parliament of recent funding secured from the Angus Rural Partnership.
This funding will allow Appetite for Angus to pilot dedicated activity with local out-of-school clubs. By connecting children directly with local growers and producers to source breakfast club meals and after school snacks, we are helping cement healthy eating habits while inspiring the next generation to take pride in local produce. This pilot will also form a vital case study for the wider public procurement debate.
Connecting Field to Fork: The Angus Berry Trail
That grassroots ethos connects directly with the wider work of the Angus Berry Trail.
The trail isn’t just a scenic summer map; it is a practical bridge between growers, locals, and visitors. By directing footfall to honesty boxes, farm shops, pick-your-own patches, and local cafes incorporating Angus berries into their menus, the trail champions provenance you can taste and experience firsthand and drives real revenue into rural businesses.
Looking ahead, we have big plans to build on that momentum. For Phase 2 in 2027, we will be deepening our focus on commercial connections across the region, linking growers directly into local hospitality and retail so visitors and residents see Angus fruit celebrated across menus and shop shelves everywhere. Alongside those trade partnerships, we’ll also be trialling Angus Berry Trail merchandise, giving people a tangible way to wear, share, and champion our local food story.
Looking Ahead
Debates like Lloyd Melville’s are an important milestone, but the real work continues long after Parliament adjourns.
At Appetite for Angus, our focus remains on backing our producers, strengthening local food chains, and ensuring Angus food resilience is taken seriously from grassroots community groups right up to the Scottish Parliament chamber.
A huge thank you to Lloyd Melville MSP for securing the debate and championing our growers, to Minister Jim Fairlie for his time and constructive dialogue, to Angus Soft Fruits for flying the flag with us, and to the Angus Rural Partnership for backing our upcoming community pilot.
Next time you pick up a punnet of Angus berries, take a second to appreciate what’s in your hand: world-class fruit, grown by world-class people, powering our local economy.
