What's in The Larder?

The List has announced plans to publish The Larder, a major new publication about Scotland’s food and drink: what we produce, where it comes from and where to get hold of it. Available from next spring, The Larder will be the most authoritative and up-to-date guide to Scottish produce available in print, with feature articles and colour photography covering the country's farmers, fish-smokers, cheese makers, bakers, brewers, distillers and many more. It will also feature product guides, a look at the issues behind food in Scotland and a directory of 250 of the best places to buy local food, from delis and good butchers to farm shops and farmers' markets.

The new title – along with a linked online directory listing some 1500 producers, suppliers and retailers – will tell the stories and facts behind the food and drink that’s widely acclaimed for quality around the world yet barely recognised by those who live closest to it. The coverage will be comprehensive, from apples to whisky, ancient beremeal to reindeer, Shetland salmon to Dumfriesshire ice-cream.

The List is publishing The Larder in association with Scottish Food Quality Certification (SFQC). The title sponsor will be the Scottish Organic Producers Association (SOPA). According to Donald Reid, editor of the new publication: "The Larder will be an in-depth, intelligent compendium of food from Scotland. It will be of real interest to everyone who cares about local food: locals, tourists, professional caterers and others working in the food and drink industry. Also, as an independent magazine, what we include in the guide is down to the judgement of our writers and researchers – it won't be linked to an entry fee or advertorial coverage. The good food is out there in Scotland: now's the time for us to be more aware of all of it, engage with it and, above all, enjoy getting to eat it."

John Hamilton, Chair of the Scottish Organic Producers Association said: "SOPA is sponsoring The Larder because we want to raise the profile of great Scottish food. We believe many people would like to know more about local food and the stories behind it and would probably buy more local produce if they knew where to go and what to look out for. We'd also like retailers and restaurants to provide more information about the food they sell, so by working with The List, and their partners SFQC who know so many food producers, we can help make this easier."

Robin Hodge, publisher of The List said: "There is a growing interest in where our food comes from and increasing support for Eat Local campaigns. Following on the success of our Eating & Drinking Guide (now in its 15th edition), The List is delighted to be working with SOPA to celebrate the best of Scotland’s food and drink."

The Larder, £7.95, to be published March 2009, 160 pages. ISBN 978-0-9557513-1-8

For further information or press queries please contact: Claire Ritchie, [email protected], 0131 550 3050

You can also download an advertising rate card for The Larder.

Notes for Editors:

The List is an award-winning independent publisher based in Scotland. It launched its main title, the fortnightly arts, events and entertainment magazine The List, in October 1985. The List also produces an annual Eating & Drinking Guide to Glasgow and Edinburgh restaurants and a new magazine aimed at young independent travellers to Scotland, The Midgie. The List’s online presence, www.list.co.uk, is Scotland’s leading entertainment and lifestyle website.

Scottish Organic Producers Association (SOPA) is a cooperative of 500 Scottish organic farmers – the largest organic grouping in Scotland. John Hamilton is a farmer and Chair of SOPA. Contact: 07734 246409

Scottish Food Quality Certification (SFQC) is a food certification body who certify all SOPA members to organic standards and also certify approximately 17000 other farms and food businesses in Scotland to a range of other food safety, animal welfare and environmental standards. Peter Brown is an SFQC Director and SFQC's Project Manager for The Larder.

Contact: 07802 411700; [email protected] (Note: from 16 to 31 Oct SFQC contact for this project will be Tim Bailey, SFQC Chief Executive; [email protected] Tel: 0131 335 6600)

Donald Reid is The List's food and drink writer and editor of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide. He is also one of the leading figures within the Slow Food movement in Scotland. Contact: [email protected], 0131 550 3050