Aberdeenshire food and drink products selected by retailer
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Two north-east businesses have secured a special buy listing in Aldi as part of the supermarket's search for its next top product in Scotland.
Products from Turriff and Cuminestown-based McKenzie Biscuits and House of Elrick in Newmachar have been selected by the retailer.
Aldi will stock McKenzie Biscuits' savoury Scottish plain, Scottish savoury rosemary, Scottish savoury sesame and oat and honey varities.
Two drinks have been chosen from House of Elrick, its white rum and spiced rum.
Working in partnership with Scotland Food and Drink, the award is part of Aldi’s ongoing commitment to increase its range of Scottish products to more than 500 over the next two years.
Scotland Food and Drink chief executive James Withers said: “It has been an incredibly challenging year for Scotland’s food and drink industry, with many businesses feeling the negative impact of Covid on their sales and supply chains.
"However, Aldi’s next top product couldn’t have come along at a better time and I'm so pleased for the businesses that have won.
"To gain Scotland-wide exposure and sales during one of the most challenging periods in history will go a long way in ensuring Scottish food and drink businesses survive and continue to thrive in the future.”
Eight suppliers from across Scotland have secured a special buy listing in Aldi.
The others are Gin Bothy in Forfar, Bon Accord Soft Drinks in Edinburgh, Cupar-based Growers Garden, Nudie Snacks in Kilmarnock, Greenock-based Golden Casket and Aldomak in Glasgow.
The new products include a sloe bramble gin liqueur from Gin Bothy, four flavours of Bon Accord’s famous sodas, Irn-Bru flavoured jelly babies from Golden Casket and a range of new crisps and sweets.
For several years Aldi has led the way with local sourcing and the retailer has built strong relationships with more than 90 Scottish suppliers.
Last year, the supermarket was crowned Scottish Sourcing Business of the Year at the Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards.
To aid Aldi’s expanding footprint in Scotland, the supermarket has invested in a new £22 million freezer and chill facility in Bathgate, which opened in spring this year.
Group buying director at Aldi Scotland Graham Nicolson said: “Congratulations to all the businesses that have been selected as winners of the search for Aldi’s next top product.
"It was a privilege to judge these awards and sample the very best of what Scotland has to offer.
“We know that this year has been difficult for many food and drink businesses across Scotland, and I'm pleased that we are able to support both new and existing suppliers with this initiative.
"We are committed to supporting and investing in the Scottish food and drink industry and stocking new and innovative locally-sourced products that we know our customers will enjoy.”
The top products from each supplier will be available in stores as special buys next year.
For more local news read here
