Bidfood Scotland has made a significant strategic move by appointing Steph Johnstone to the newly created role of regional sourcing manager, underscoring the company’s dedication to championing Scottish produce. With a seven-year tenure at The Cress Company, Johnstone brings valuable expertise to her role, which focuses on strengthening relationships with local suppliers and expanding the Scottish product range available to customers across the UK. This appointment is part of Bidfood Scotland’s long-standing commitment to Scottish producers, which began 30 years ago with just 10 Scottish product lines, a figure that has now grown to over 500. Jon Mack, business unit director for Bidfood Scotland, highlighted that Johnstone’s appointment represents a “significant step forward” in their ambitions, helping to grow the presence of Scottish produce and widen its distribution via Bidfood’s extensive network.

The company operates a robust local infrastructure with depots across Edinburgh, Oban, Inverness, and Larbert, supported by a fleet of 90 multi-temperature lorries to ensure efficient supply of an ever-expanding array of Scottish food and drink products. Bidfood Scotland collaborates with more than 100 Scottish suppliers, reflecting its deep-rooted investment in local sourcing and high-quality produce. This extensive network is further enhanced by digital innovation, including the launch of dedicated sections on the Bidfood Direct website to promote Scottish produce. One such platform features around 700 products from over 100 Scottish suppliers, making it easier for chefs and caterers to access local produce and reinforcing Bidfood’s commitment to supporting Scottish producers and helping them flourish within and beyond Scotland’s borders.

The company’s strategy to elevate Scottish produce within the foodservice market dovetails with wider industry recognition. Bidfood has recently been commended in the Scottish Wholesale Association’s Achievers 2025 Awards, which celebrate innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in Scotland’s food and drink wholesale sector. Such accolades highlight Bidfood’s significant contributions and underline the critical role it plays in driving growth and sustainability in the sector.

Partnerships have also been vital to the success of Bidfood’s Scottish strategy. Collaborations with Scotland Food & Drink have resulted in a 28% increase in sales of Scottish products, driven by enhanced accessibility via the Bidfood Scotland Direct platform. Over the past year, this collaboration brought 334 new customers into the fold and distributed an additional 30,000 cases of Scottish products across the UK. Further supporting local businesses, Bidfood Scotland’s supplier development initiatives have helped small producers like Growers Garden, a Fife-based maker of broccoli crisps, expand their production and develop new products. This demonstrates how Bidfood is not only scaling the reach of established suppliers but also nurturing the growth of emerging ones through integration into its distribution network.

The launch of dedicated e-commerce spaces for Scottish products continues to transform how local produce reaches the market, making it more visible and accessible to foodservice operators and strengthening the local supply chain. This comprehensive approach—combining strategic appointments, digital platforms, supplier development, and partnerships—positions Bidfood Scotland as a leading advocate and distributor of Scottish food and drink produce, supporting regional suppliers and driving their growth on a national scale.