Lomond supports local suppliers with Scottish product guide

Lomond: The Wholesale Food Co has launched a Taste of Scotland Food Guide, championing its extensive range of Scottish produce.

The guide, which features 69 Scottish producers, was created following the success of the Glasgow-based wholesaler’s trade show, Taste@Lomond. At the event, Lomond dedicated 50% of space to Scottish produce which proved ‘incredibly popular’ with customers.

The guide contains a wide-reaching range of Scottish produce, from cakes, cooked meats and dairy products to crisps, confectionery, bakery and beverages.

“Following the response to our trade show where we saw unprecedented growth in our Scottish produce, we knew we had to do more,” said director Barbara Henderson.

“Our new Taste of Scotland Food Guide is so much more than a product guide. We have spent months collating all the information required in order to provide our customers with an insight into the locally sourced supply chain.

“Every supplier not only showcases the range of their Scottish products, but also shares how they are working to further their sustainability credentials, such as installing solar panels or using waste food or by-products to make new, innovative products.”

In addition to the usual information found in product guides, such as whether the item is ambient, chilled or frozen, vegetarian, vegan or halal, the guide illustrates the product’s food miles. The distance from the producer to the Lomond depot is shown, and the guide also highlights where products are backhauled to be additionally environmentally friendly.

The guide details Lomond’s social responsibility and commitment to improving its impact on the environment. This includes moving the commercial fleet to hybrid delivery vehicles with thinner insulation, increased carrying capacity and no reliance on red diesel. All company cars are also now electric. These changes alone have resulted in a reduction of 71.3 tonnes of CO2.

The wholesaler also works with local charities including Fare Share, Possibilities and Kindness Charity to donate short-life stock. This results in Lomond’s food waste being just 0.07%.

In addition, Lomond is partnering with Scottish Power to harness hydrogen fuel cells on site in a bid to becoming carbon neutral.