Asda is extending its range of locally-sourced products, with the addition of 140 new lines from new and existing Scottish suppliers – an increase of more than 20% on the supermarket’s range year on year.
The good news came at a parliamentary reception (8 March) which was held to showcase Asda’s local suppliers to MSPs and food and drink industry bigwigs.
As well as 140 new local products, which include cakes, crisps, yoghurts, pies, sausages, biscuits, beer, gin and whisky, Asda also welcomed new suppliers Rora Dairies, which produces premium local yogurts; and Hebridean Food Group, which makes ready meals.
The new listings also mark the retail debut of restaurant business FreshMex, which started life in 2015 as a pop-up street food stall at Banchory Farmers’ Market. It now operates two high street restaurants in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, and its burrito has been Scotland’s most-ordered dish on Deliveroo for four years running. FreshMex now brings its TexMex cuisine to Asda shelves with a range of seasoning sachets and salsa jar products.
Speaking at the event Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, welcomed Asda’s commitment to local sourcing and support for Scottish producers.
She added: “The food and drink industry is vital to Scotland – it creates jobs and wealth, impacts on health and sustainability, and helps attract people to the country by promoting our food and drink around the globe. It continues to be a great success story and one that we want to support and grow.”
Brian Boyle, Asda’s Senior Director Retail for Scotland, also spoke at the reception: “Local sourcing in Scotland has been a priority for Asda since we opened our first store here more than 50 years ago – and our customers tell us they want to see great quality local products in their stores.”
Ashley Connolly, the supermarket’s Local Buying Manager for Scotland, added: “We help our suppliers grow their businesses in a way that works for them, whether that’s with new local products in only a few of our shops, going national with UK-wide listings or joining the many Scottish suppliers making own-label products for Asda.
“And we’re always on the lookout for new Scottish lines!”
