The Scottish Wholesale Association has held a Parliamentary Reception at Holyrood, attended by MSPs from all parties.
The event was staged to help politicians to gain greater understanding about all channels of Scotland’s food and drink sector.
Sponsored by Labour MSP for Edinburgh Southern Daniel Johnson and featuring a keynote speech by Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade Richard Lochhead, the event was attended by 120 SWA members and partner organisations along with more than 35 MSPs.
Colin Smith, SWA Chief Executive, told the Parliamentary Reception: “We represent an industry that is literally the wheels to Scotland’s food and drink supply chain, and yet until Covid hit we were a relatively unknown sector within the Scottish government and across the Parliament – that’s despite wholesale being vital to food security and its supply into our local communities, our schools, hospitals, tourism, hospitality and leisure outlets.”
To demonstrate the diversity of the Scottish wholesale sector, six SWA members – Brakes, CJ Lang & Son, Glencrest, Inverarity Morton, JW Gray, Lomond Fine Foods and Mark Murphy – showcased their businesses around the Garden Lobby with MSPs speaking to representatives to learn more.
Edinburgh-based Mark Murphy, a foodservice supplier of fruit and vegetables and other produce, was there to discuss with MSPs the SWA’s Wholesale Local Food Champion project. Its aim is to encourage Scotland’s wholesalers to identify individuals who collectively take responsibility for shaping the local sourcing strategy within their business.
Lochhead told the reception: “Wholesalers play a vital role in connecting Scottish producers with retailers and consumers, ensuring that everyone has access to fresh, high-quality food and drink.”
