Raising money
With Christmas around the corner, Scottish butchers are bracing for their busiest time of the year.
Getting into the spirit of giving, a number of butchers’ shops across the UK are helping to raise money for two children’s charities.
“There is always such an excitement in the shop at this time of year as we help people get ready for Christmas – and we thrive on it,” said Mike Forsyth of Forsyths Butchers and Bakers in Peebles.
Customers have the option of buying the ‘Round the Table’ charity cookbook, produced by Quality Meat Scotland.
All the proceeds of sales go to Children 1st and CHAS [Children’s Hospice Association Scotland].
Forsyths is one of approximately 300 butchers’ shops that are members of the Scotch Butchers Club. The club aims to promote meat provenance, encompassing Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork
“Our team is also ready and willing to help with advice and ideas for customers seeking some inspiration about what to cook and we can also help with some tips on how to make delicious meals with leftover meat – helping to make their Christmas spend go further.”
Topping the Christmas favourite at Forsyths is Scotch Beef sirloin roasts and Scotch Lamb meatballs.
Nationwide Produce and Three Musketeers are donating 50p from every box of mint potatoes to support the Poppy Appeal
Nationwide Produce and Suffolk potato grower Three Musketeers will donate 50p to The Royal British Legion from every box of mint salad potatoes they sell during the three-week appeal.
After Edward Blanchard from Three Musketeers, and Nationwide’s Tim O’Malley, were moved by visiting Ypres, they decided to replace the mint leaf on packaging with a poppy in aid of the charity.
Backed by Michelin-starred chef Mark Poynton, the ‘Poppy Boxes’ went on sale on Wednesday 21 October at wholesalers and foodservice firms. O’Malley said: “This is a unique opportunity for buyers to support the Poppy Appeal while also backing British farming.
“We’re only five days into this promotion and the uplift in sales would already indicate that the amount we will raise for the Poppy Appeal will be closer to £15,000 than our original estimate of £10,000. The general reaction to this promotion from our customers has been very positive.”
Blanchard said it is “a great honour to help remember those that shouldn’t be forgotten” and asked the produce industry to support the initiative. “Chefs and buyers throughout the country, you can help us to raise some much-needed funds. Simply buy a product you already enjoy or swap from your usual supply and order a ‘Poppy Box’ of our Mint salad potatoes for the first time,” he said.