The Scottish Parliament has passed the Good Food Nation Bill, an initiative to create links between policy at the national and local levels, with government, local authorities and health boards creating good food nation plans.
Those plans will set out clear outcomes, indicators and policies across a range of areas relating to food including the environment, health and the economy, the government said.
A Food Commission will also be established for scrutinising and making recommendations in relation to the good food nation plans and progress reports; conducting research; and providing advice to Scottish Ministers and relevant authorities in carrying out their duties under the Bill.
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “The Good Food Nation Bill reinforces our commitment to ensuring that everyone in Scotland has access to healthy, nutritious fare and that businesses and public kitchens commit to producing, selling and serving good food.
“Organisations can play a leading role in this process – looking at how they boost local procurement, cut down food waste and packaging and use in-season produce as well disposing of food waste in an environmentally friendly way.”
David Thomson, CEO Food & Drink Federation Scotland, added: “The Bill will be a key element in ensuring that Scotland’s critical food and drink producers are supported in their journey to a sustainable, resilient and profitable future.”
