Business / No boat? Plenty of local produce around – while country shops remain well-stocked
‘Contrary to what you may read on Facebook, there is plenty of bread in Shetland’, south end shop says
THE IMPORTANCE of local produce has been highlighted after Shetland’s ferry links to Scottish mainland were cancelled for four days in a row in the windy weather.
Some of the shelves in Tesco for instance are empty, including the fruit and vegetables and bread aisles, as no supermarket deliveries are able to come up on the boat.
But some of the shops stocking Shetland-made produce like bakery items are in good supply, while some local outlets also have fruit and veg.
Chair of Shetland and Food Drink Marian Armitage highlighted that some of the other items produced locally include milk, meat, fish and root vegetables – and are all good quality.
“There’s no question that we should be eating more of what’s available in Shetland,” she said.
In the Ness Mainland’s Mini Market posted on social media that “contrary to what you may read on Facebook, there is plenty of bread in Shetland – our shelves are full”.
The Scalloway Meat Company said on Friday it was “well stocked” despite the boat cancellations.
Photos posted by R.S. Henderson’s shop in Cullivoe, Yell yesterday (Friday) also showed plenty of fruit and vegetables still in stock, from apples and avocados to cucumber and cabbage.
Armitage said local shops – which are supplied differently to the supermarkets – will often plan ahead at this time of the year, knowing the there may be disruption.
She also spoke up for the merits of home cooking, although she is aware many are on tight budgets.
“Sometimes we’re so used to the convenience of going into a supermarket, piling the trolley – really, we shouldn’t do that, where we’re living,” Armitage said.
The last time a NorthLink boat arrived in Lerwick was on Tuesday morning, and the next scheduled departures are later tonight (Saturday).
The next northbound freight boat, however, is only due to leave Aberdeen at 6am on Sunday.
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