Let’s not forget to celebrate

Here we are again in the lead up to what is arguably the most important time of the year for independent craft butchers. Families move around the country to spend time together, create memories and, in many cases, share a feeling of “coming home”. The festive period can be as much about connecting with family and friends as it is about religious festivals.

Central to all this is, of course, the meal around the table. To almost everyone, this is the most important meal of the year. Everything must be perfect! And so, each year, many consumers return to businesses they know and trust to supply the quality products they rely on to impress their guests and family from afar.

The local butcher’s shop becomes central to the whole experience, and not just for the high-quality products. How many people does it take to pick up a turkey? I am sure that many shops across the country have the experience of seeing the whole family making the walk to the local butcher to help pick up the feast they are about to receive. For those returning home, that is very much part of the gathering.

For the butchers and staff, this is their moment to be seen on a wider stage, to impress the family and the guests. It is also an opportunity to maybe make long-lasting relationships with the next generation and potential new customers! Local craft butchers have been doing this for generations; we are good at it, even if some don’t recognise it as a skill. As families celebrate with the very best of food, many butchers will be happy to just recharge their batteries, ready to go again at New Year and into January. It is the time of year when we see the real passion of our butchers, and while they are all very tired, we will remind them to celebrate, too, and so they should!

It was interesting to read the commissioned reports, released lately, from EAT-Lancet and Food Standards Scotland on the reduction of meat consumption. They included many reasons to justify the reports and their recommendations. Interestingly, the Food Standards Scotland report into the “risks and benefits in reducing meat and dairy for Scotland’s children” reveals that reducing meat and dairy consumption can help meet the Scottish Dietary Goals and climate targets.

However, it may worsen existing nutrient insufficiencies, particularly for young people. This, of course, may have an impact on the National Health Service, which we saw in a previous report. We have always been advocates of consumers eating well-balanced diets, as defined by the Food Standards agencies, including high-quality meat, rich in nutrients and vitamins. Where better-quality meat is purchased, consumed and enjoyed, then the customer may appreciate the real value of good food and be less inclined to throw it away, meaning the food-waste mountain will reduce, too.

In Scotland, we have been delighted to see some of our members take part in the BBC programme Our Lives: Haggis Hunters. The documentary highlighted a very positive and human side to our industry. The viewing figures (1.3 million when broadcast) suggest that people enjoyed seeing that representation of our talented butchers. It sets us up for the haggis season in January and a whole new opportunity to celebrate great food!