FOOD POLICY MUST COME WITH FUNDING, SAYS ALISON JOHNSTONE
Responding to the Scottish Government's launch of a discussion on a new food and drink policy, Green MSP Alison Johnstone is calling for funding to transform Scotland's relationship with food.
Ministers are proposing ideas that the Scottish Greens have long advocated, including:
- Using the public sector to lead by example in offering fresh, seasonal, local and sustainable produce
- Tackling the impact of food on the health of young people
- Making it easier for people to grow food locally
Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and food spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said:
"This change of tone from the Scottish Government is welcome, and suggests they've finally woken up to the fact that good food should be available for everyone, not just for export.
"There are clear challenges in our relationship with food, its effect on our health and the corporate control of a handful of supermarkets and multinationals.
"On so many issues we hear a lot of warm words from ministers but little action. Whether it's tackling the unhealthy food pupils eat outside school at lunchtime, upgrading dining and kitchen facilities in our schools, or addressing the huge waiting lists for allotments, we need a Scottish Government that puts its money where its mouth is."