Local products from 23 Scottish suppliers have hit the shelves across all 96 Aldi Scotland stores as part of this year’s Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight.
In deals worth over £310,000 to their Scottish supplier base, Aldi Scotland has unveiled its biggest ever showcase of Scottish Specialbuy produce from red meat to fresh fish and sweet treats, all in support of its local suppliers.
New products will appear in store across a series of on-sale dates to mark the annual campaign, delivered in association with Scotland Food & Drink, to celebrate the produce that is manufactured, grown and reared across the country.
As part of the two-week celebration, Aldi Scotland is set to become the first supermarket in the UK to stock sustainably reared Scottish venison ready-meals.
The range, supplied by Findowie Farmhouse, will include Venison Lasagne and Venison Chilli. Aldi Scotland will also bring Scotland’s first-ever Buffalo Mozzarella to store.
The cheese is produced using milk from Water Buffalos flown in from Venezuela in 2005 which are now roaming the hills of Fife-based The Buffalo Farm.
Other premium products on sale will include luxury Loch Fyne True North Live Oysters, Simon Howie Black Pudding Truffles and Scotch Beef Rump Steaks with Garlic Butter
For those who enjoy a sweet treat, there is plenty choose from, including Oor Wullie Iron Brew Bon Bons, Nairns Mint Choc Chip Oat Biscuits and Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Tub.
Aldi Scotland employs over 30 people in their dedicated Scottish Buying team in Bathgate and has established relationships with over 90 Scottish suppliers.
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland said: “Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight is one of the biggest dates in our calendar, allowing us to put the spotlight fully on a fantastic collection of Scottish producers.
“Our industry, like many others, has faced a challenging year, with many local suppliers having to adapt in innovative ways to survive.
"Despite the turbulence, we have continued to see a great show of strength from producers, whose passion and creativity are the cornerstones of Scotland’s world-renowned reputation in food and drink.
“This year, we have been working closer than ever with the team at Scotland Food & Drink to understand the most effective steps we can take to support the sector, and we are excited to bring our largest ever Specialbuy range of Scottish-sourced products to our customers, which will truly highlight the diversity and talent of our local suppliers.
“Our main ambition in Scotland is to help local farmers, manufacturers and food producers flourish.
"At Aldi Scotland, we understand the incredible diversity of fresh produce that we have on our doorsteps, and pride ourselves on the relationships we have established with suppliers.
"These relationships not only support supplier ambitions but allows us to provide our customers with a wide choice of high-quality, locally sourced products.”
Lucy Husband, Market Development and Business Engagement Director at Scotland Food & Drink, added: “Aldi is an excellent example of a retailer who has championed some of the most innovative and quality products from our diverse Scottish supply base for a long time.
“Their dedication goes beyond supporting individual Scottish products.
"They are committed to working with Scottish suppliers from across the country, helping them grow by providing opportunities to showcase their products, like this opportunity during Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight.
"This can have such a positive impact on suppliers, especially following such a turbulent 12 months.
“We are so happy to see so many of our partners getting involved in Fortnight this year.
"It is about celebrating all the things the industry has achieved during the past 12 months, the remarkable work happening across our regions and, the positive things to come whilst we are all on the road to recovery.”
Aldi Scotland’s Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight range will be in stores from 2 September 2021, adding 46 products to its shelves in celebration of Scotland’s larder.
