Reviews / Opinion: Food for thought
Folk flowed through the recent Food and Craft Fair like an incoming tide. Everywhere you looked smiling masses carrying their purchases. What a success this event has become! Before the event was finished stallholders were selling out.
What messages are we to take from this exciting “helly”?
Folk do want to buy and experience authentic local foods and crafts.
The fact that the really big spenders on food avoid Shetland food stands in stark contrast to such a public show of appreciation. But is there something actually irresponsible about public money being spent on imports?
Agency figures show that spending £1 on local produce results in £2.74 of gain to the local economy. Spending a £1 on imports means Shetland’s economy loses out on £1.74 of financial benefit. Is this “value for money”?
Several millions of pounds are spent each year on public procurement contracts for a range of goods, many of which are produced locally. Shetland’s economy is principally based on food catching and production. This means it always has the capacity to offer a significant proportion of what Shetland needs.
Scottish local authorities endeavour to assist their own local economies by placing procurement contracts in a manner that encourages active engagement by local producers.
The Scottish Government will be unveiling a report next year focussing on the actions of local authorities and how they approach sourcing locally.
The government understands the monetary benefits from what they call the “multiplier effect”. This quantifies how money moves within regional economies and to what benefit.
This benefit is calculated at £2.74 for every £1 spent. Such is the circulation of that £1 within and between local businesses and the length of time that £1 stays here before it moves away to become a national statistic.
On the other hand a £1 spent on imports leaves the local economy as soon as it can.
If Shetland food is to achieve a sustainable market position then we must set an example within Shetland.
How often is Orkney flagged up as an example of how to market its goods? Shetland has a far better range of foods to sell from than our neighbours, but we have been incredibly poor at handling this and have squandered endless opportunities to become less reliant on council and oil jobs.
If you visit Orkney everything you eat is promoted as Orcadian. Why not Shetland?
We are constantly being told we must use wisely what little money Shetland has left. If spending our money in our local economy creates more benefits for Shetland, then why are we not doing this?
Ronnie Eunson
Chairman
Shetland Livestock Marketing Group (SLMG)
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
