Bidfood Scotland opens Scottish e-commerce platform

Keen to support the sale of local produce, Bidfood Scotland has announced the opening of a new area within its e-commerce platform, Bidfood Direct, completely dedicated to Scottish produce

The new platform went live during Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight and will promote local visibility to chefs and caterers across Scotland.

The Scottish online platform is being delivered as part of a new funding partnership with industry leadership organisation, Scotland Food & Drink, and aims to offer new and existing producers to Bidfood Scotland the opportunity to promote their products to chefs, caterers and buyers as a Scottish collective.

Bidfood Scotland has a growing range of over 700 locally-sourced products from more than 100 Scottish suppliers and is keen to support further growth.

The new online platform will see Scottish suppliers to Bidfood auto enrolled, with hopes to grow sales of Scottish food and drink in the foodservice market and increase accessibility of a wider variety of products from producers across the country. The shop will include all categories, including fish, meat, dairy, bakery, deli & store cupboard and alcohol & soft drinks, plus to expand the offering further, the partnership between Scotland Food & Drink and Bidfood Scotland will also include a ‘meet the buyer’ event for new suppliers to pitch their products to secure listings in the coming months.

“Scotland is full of passionate suppliers, and buyers who are keen to maximise Scottish produce on their menus and plates,” said Stephanie Pritchard (pictured above right), Head of UK Market Development at Scotland Food & Drink. “The launch of the Scotland Food & Drink platform on Bidfood Direct is an excellent step to supporting both suppliers and buyers to grow commercially.

“Sustainable growth is at the heart of our new industry strategy, and through the partnership with Bidfood Scotland, we can shorten supply chains, and support the local food and drink businesses who are vital to our economic success.”

Katie Sillars (pictured above left), Head of Digital Trading at Bidfood UK, added: “Over the last few years, we’ve worked behind the scenes to ensure we have the right Scottish suppliers and local products for our customers, at the right price stocked in our depots. Now, we’re daring to be different. Technology is at the forefront of our business, and we want to ensure all suppliers, small and large are visible to our customers.

“This is not another boring brochure! The launch of our digital Scottish platform gives our suppliers the opportunity to showcase their fantastic produce, giving our customers visibility of our local range and access to all the helpful tools on Bidfood Direct.”