As a nation, Scotland recognises that food and food production provides opportunities for widespread and impactful economic, social and ecological improvements across all sectors of society. Food production and export is one of Scotland’s key economic outputs: with approximately 1 in 5 Scots being employed in the food and drink industry. Indeed, between 2008 and 2011, it saw the strongest growth of all growth sectors in Scotland.
Food production and consumption poses huge challenges, however, across all nations; which directly impact on all 17 SDGs. In Scotland, we face serious challenges relating to dietary-related health & wellbeing; disengagement within the Scottish population as to where food comes from; threats to food security, due in part to climate change and a reliance on imports; and a lack of diversity and resilience in our supply chains, with the majority of our food system controlled by a handful of very large corporate retailers.
The publication of the Scottish Government’s ‘Becoming a Good Food Nation’ proposals in 2014 outlined a strategy for making ‘good’ food ( i.e. food that is good for Scottish society, economy and environment) part of everyday life for Scots by 2025.

Momentum has been sustained since 2014 through the Scottish Government’s realignment of its National Performance Framework against the SDGs and its recent recognition of the global climate emergency.
Food-specific activity has been evident in the work of the Scottish Government-appointed Scottish Food Commission and the third-sector-led Food Coalition. RCE Scotland has responded to the recent consultation on the Good Food Nation strategy, and a member of its Steering Group is engaging with the recently-created Good Food Nation Ambassador Network. Many of our members are directly or indirectly involved in work relating to food production and consumption.