This year’s focus is ‘Every Bite Tells a Story’, putting the spotlight on the origin of Scottish food: where it comes from, who makes it, and why that matters. According to recent research carried out by The Knowledge Bank, the industry leading insight team from the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership, 68% of Scots rate Scottish origin at 7+ in importance, a rise from 53% in 2023, while 84% would like to be able buy more Scottish food and drink when getting their weekly shop. People are not just buying on price anymore; they want to know the story behind what is on their plate, and they trust Scottish producers to deliver on quality and sustainability, too.

From seasonal produce and independent eateries to hands-on experiences with Scotland’s makers, Scottish Food & Drink September is a chance to discover more of what is grown, made and served close to home.

Whether you’re planning a big night out or simply switching up your weekly shop, here are five easy ways to join the celebration this September.

Add seasonal ingredients to your plate

September represents a great month to eat seasonally, with haddock, lamb, wild duck, tomatoes, cherries, potatoes and many more ingredients all at their best. Pick some up at a local farmers market or greengrocer and keep it simple: pan fried haddock with a squeeze of lemon, or roast lamb with new potatoes are two great options that let the season’s produce speak for itself. Swapping even a few items on your plate for what's in season now is one of the simplest ways to support Scottish growers and get more flavour for your money.

Visit a new local eatery 

Scotland’s food and drink scene is more than just what’s on the shelf, it’s also about the cafes, restaurants and pop-ups bringing it to life. This September is the perfect excuse to try a restaurant you’ve been meaning to visit, whether that’s a new opening in your city or a spot you’ve walked past a hundred times without going in. Supporting local eateries keeps money in the local economy and gives smaller, independent businesses the footfall they need to thrive.

Enjoy a foodie experience

Scotland is home to outstanding food tourism, from guided tastings and distillery tours to hands-on cookery classes and farm visits. Through Scotland Food & Drink’s Bookable Food And Drink Experiences Programme, dozens of Scottish producers, ranging from distillers to coffee roasters to family farms, have been developing new easy-to-book experiences for visitors. The pilot alone supported 50 businesses and led to 56 new bookable experiences.

Here’s a few to try:

• Angus Alchemy – a distillery tasting experience where customers can sample the brand's gins, signature moonshine and ready-to-drink cocktails while learning about the business.
• Borderland Food Tours – small-group food and drink tours showcasing the local produce of the Borders, celebrating the region's agricultural and historical heritage.
• Eat With Ailsa – relaxed, sociable BYOB cooking classes in Edinburgh.
• Ballintaggart – premium Scottish dining experiences at two locations in Highland Perthshire from residential cook school experiences to soon-to-be released wellness experiences based around Scottish food and drink.
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Support a local producer

Scotland Food & Drink members produce such a wide range of products, there's something for everyone. In Glasgow, the growing list includes Brewgooder, the beer brand on a mission to positively impact local communities, and further south in South Lanarkshire, there’s Equi's Ice Cream, known for iconic Scottish flavours with an Italian accent. In Edinburgh, Nairn's has been supplying the Scottish market with sweet and savoury oatcakes for generations. Seeking producers like these out at farmers markets, a local deli, or online is one of the most direct ways to back Scottish food and drink businesses.

Try a new recipe 

Fancy cooking rather than eating out? Scottish chefs such as Sarah Rankin, Julie Lin, Coinneach MacLeod, Flora Shedden and many more share recipes that put the country’s produce front and centre, so trying a new recipe from their cookbooks is a great way to bring Scottish Food & Drink September into your own home. 

However you choose to take part, Scottish Food & Drink September is a reminder that behind every bite is a story worth knowing. For more information, visit the Scottish Food & Drink September website.

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