Scotmid Co-operative has officially launched its 2026 ‘Scottish Favourites’ competition, an initiative designed to unearth and champion new food and drink products from across Scotland. The programme offers local producers a significant opportunity to secure a coveted listing in Scotmid’s extensive network of convenience stores, bringing their creations closer to communities throughout the country.
For the fifth consecutive year, Scotmid is collaborating with Scotland Food & Drink, the industry leadership body dedicated to fostering growth and enhancing the global reputation of Scottish produce. This partnership underscores Scotmid’s longstanding commitment to local sourcing, a strategy that has seen the co-operative “opening doors for smaller suppliers” and “supporting relationship development and providing entry points for smaller producers.”
This year’s competition introduces an enhanced prize structure, featuring three prestigious Gold Awards. Winners will not only secure a listing in Scotmid stores but also receive a £2,000 monetary prize to support their product launch. A unique element for 2026 will see Scotmid Members directly influence one of these Gold Awards, participating in a tasting and scoring process for all 12 shortlisted suppliers.
The tangible impact of such a retail opportunity is evident from past successes. Karen Robinson, founder of Three Robins, a previous winner, highlighted the transformative effect a Scotmid listing had on her oat milk range. She stated that it allowed the business to “double our distribution overnight, making our products available to families all across Scotland.”
Danny Scobie, Head of Commercial at Scotmid, emphasised the competition’s dual benefit. “Scottish Favourites has become a great way for us to discover exciting products and producers from across Scotland, while giving businesses a real opportunity to get their products in front of more customers,” he said. “We’ve seen the difference a Scotmid listing can make for previous winners. We want to hear from producers of all shapes and sizes – whether you’re an emerging business ready to take the next step or an established producer with something new for our customers.”
Scotmid, Scotland’s largest independent co-operative, operates approximately 275 convenience stores across Scotland, forming a vital part of the retail landscape. Despite facing a challenging retail environment, including significant supply chain disruption from a cyber-attack on a key supplier, the co-operative reported a resilient performance for the year ending 31 January 2026, with a £432 million turnover and a £1 million trading profit. This resilience, coupled with a focus on local offerings, positions Scotmid as a crucial pathway for Scottish brands. Scotmid’s Local Sourcing Manager, Kirsty George, has previously articulated a passion for “championing Scottish produce” and ensuring an efficient supply chain to stock local and hyperlocal items.
The Scottish food and drink sector is a powerhouse of the nation’s economy, boasting a record £19 billion in turnover in 2025 and employing 123,000 people across 17,000 businesses. It stands as Scotland’s third-largest industry by value and its largest manufacturing sector. Consumer appetite for local produce remains robust, with recent data from September 2026 revealing that 84% of Scots are keen to purchase more Scottish food and drink products. This demand extends beyond the border, with 52% of shoppers across the rest of the UK also expressing a preference for Scottish goods.
Getting products onto supermarket shelves can be a significant hurdle for smaller producers, often requiring substantial volume, quick sales results for trial listings, and careful management of cash flow. Competitions like ‘Scottish Favourites’ offer a structured and supported route to market, mitigating some of these challenges.
The launch of the competition coincides with Scottish Food & Drink September, a month-long national celebration that evolved from the ‘Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight’ in 2024. The 2026 campaign, themed ‘Every Bite Tells a Story,’ focuses on highlighting the narratives behind Scotland’s diverse and high-quality food and drink produce.
Alex Kidd, UK Market Manager – Retail at Scotland Food & Drink, highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration. “We’re delighted to be partnering with Scotmid for the fifth consecutive year, providing Scottish food and drink businesses with a valuable platform to access the convenience retail market and raise awareness of their products,” he said. “Scottish Food and Drink September is all about celebrating our vibrant and diverse food and drink industry, so it’s fantastic to have the Scottish Favourites competition launched as part of our month-long campaign. From innovative start-ups to well-established brands seeking to expand their retail presence, competitions such as Scottish Favourites play a vital role in supporting growth by helping producers build meaningful retail relationships, increase visibility, and take the next step in their business journey.”
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The Scottish Government also actively supports the growth of the local food and drink sector. In June 2026, First Minister John Swinney announced a new Public Sector Food Procurement Taskforce aimed at increasing the use of locally produced food in public settings. Furthermore, initiatives like the Regional Food Fund have seen over £770,000 invested since 2018 to support small-scale regional projects, and a £500,000 Small Producers Pilot Fund was announced in September 2026 to boost innovation and strengthen local supply chains.
Applications for the 2026 Scottish Favourites competition are now open to Scottish food and drink producers across a wide array of categories. The submission window closes at 11:30 BST on Friday, 16 October 2026. Shortlisted suppliers will make their final pitches on Friday, 20 November, with a Winners Showcase planned for early December.
