Farm fresh and family time in the kitchen
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With farmers fast approaching peak lambing and calving season and their focus primarily on the nutrition and welfare of their livestock, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is encouraging farming families to get creative in the kitchen.
QMS has partnered with the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI) the charity supporting people in Scottish agriculture, and throughout the month of April is encouraging farming families to showcase their quick, easy and healthy Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork recipes via social media to highlight the importance of a healthy diet to personal wellbeing.
Lesley Cameron, director of marketing and communications at QMS, said that during these busy periods, there’s a temptation to turn to ‘grab and go’ meal options and snacks for a quick fix.
“Scotland’s farmers work extremely hard to produce our fantastic brands – Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork – and when you’ve got a busy schedule, cooking for a large number or just one person can seem daunting.
“Alongside our extensive consumer-focused marketing and PR which is planned for the coming months, we want to showcase a range of quick, easy and healthy meals containing Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork, that are perfect for farming families at busy times and are also tasty and nutritious,” said Mrs Cameron.
Nina Clancy, chief executive of RSABI said that a healthy diet can positively impact a farmer’s physical and mental health.
“Looking after your health is important at any time but especially now. Many people are dealing with high levels of stress and anxiety due to the busy season we are in, as well as Covid-19.
“Planning and batch-making quick, healthy meals which can be frozen is a good way to ensure you are still eating well, benefitting both your physical and mental wellbeing.”
Registered nutritionist Dr Laura Wyness explained that, from a nutritional point of view, red meat is a naturally high source of good quality protein, rich in the nutrients that contribute to healthy brain function, helping enhance mood, reduce tiredness and fatigue, as well as maintaining a healthy immune system.
She added: “Your brain and body need a wide variety of nutrients to function well, and when your diet doesn’t include a variety of healthy, nutrient-rich foods, you may end up lacking key vitamins and minerals. This can impact your mood and brain function as well as leaving you less energised.
“Serving meat along with plenty of vegetables, or including it as part of a balanced diet along with other sources of protein such as fish, beans and lentils, will help benefit your health and wellbeing.”
For a range of Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork recipes, visit the QMS consumer-focused website www.scotchkitchen.com or Scotch Kitchen on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
