Locals encouraged to buy their premium product available on their doorsteps

NFU Scotland is launching its ‘Kintyre Cheese? Yes Please’ campaign to encourage members of the public to buy Mull of Kintyre Cheddar, and support dairy farmers within the area.

NFUS President Allan Bowie will be visiting Campbeltown to take part in the campaign alongside local dairy farmers and NFUS staff in an effort to increase the amount of local cheese bought by consumers.

As part of the campaign, promotional bumper and car stickers, and roadside banners have been produced promoting the phrase: ‘Kintyre Cheese, Yes Please!’ with free samples to be given out at The Co-operative Food store, Campbeltown, from 11am to 2pm on April 7.

As well as the two major supermarkets now stocking Mull of Kintyre Cheddar and Campbeltown Creamery, other smaller outlets in and around Campbeltown are also stocking the cheese within their stores.

The campaign, created by the local Kintyre branch of NFUS, has been prompted by the recent milk price crash whereby the price paid for farmers for their milk has decreased.

NFU Scotland President Allan Bowie commented: “This campaign demonstrates the passion that local farmers have for the food that they produce. This is a premium product, which locals are extremely lucky to have on their doorstep. All farmers have a fantastic story to tell and this is demonstrated by the relationship that farmers in Kintyre have with Mull of Kintyre Cheddar.

 “But we need to take this into the wider market too. In the Year of Scotland Food and Drink it is a pertinent reminder of the high-quality produce that is on offer locally. The buck doesn’t stop with promoting the cheese locally however, we need to push for further marketing both nationally and internationally and we look forward to hearing from First Milk about how this will be achieved.

 “From field to fork everything that is grown on farms across the country tells a story of hard work, passion and flavour. This campaign shows that farmers want to get their story across, and the increase in local demand for Mull of Kintyre which has been generated by this campaign tells us that consumers want to buy fantastic locally-produced food.”

John Smith of Drumalea Farm, by Campbeltown, commented: “Having Mull of Kintyre Cheddar available locally once again is fantastic. As well as being stocked in the major supermarkets within Campbeltown there are other local stores within the centre of town who are now either currently stocking it or are looking to do so.

“Providing the option for consumers of buying local cheese is a very positive step, and we thank all those who have been instrumental in making this happen.”

Note to editors

• The campaign will be launched on April 7 at The Co-operative Food, Longrow, Campbeltown, PA28 6EX. Free samples of Mull of Kintyre Cheddar will be handed out from 11am to 2pm.
• A photo opportunity for members of the press will take place at 11am at the Co-operative, and other photographs from the day will be available upon request by contacting ruth.mcclean@nfus.org.uk
• For media who would like to attend, or to obtain a photograph of the promotional material, please contact ruth.mcclean@nfus.org.uk or call 0131 472 4108.
• If using social media to promote the campaign, please use the hashtag #mokcheese.

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Contact Ruth McClean on 0131 472 4108