Food and Drink is a hugely important sector for Scotland and the UK economy, generating a turnover of £14.4 billion and £5.3 billion of GVA (gross value added) for the Scottish economy in 2014 alone. This sector not only has an impact on Scotland’s economy but food production can also has a significant influence on our environment, health and society and these are all areas that SEFARI research aims to a make a difference.
Soft fruits considered in this study are Blackberries, Blueberries, Cherries, Grapes, Raspberries, and Strawberries.
The goal of the current study is:
(1) to explain the extent to which consumers’ purchases of soft fruit follow seasonal patterns;
(2) to estimate how Scotland’s seasonal patterns affect the purchase quantity/nutrient demanded, since this has significant implications for achieving the UK government's “five-a-day” policy target.
The research of Jules Griffin and his team focuses on the application of analytical chemistry to study metabolism and nutrition in metabolic diseases. His group has developed and applied metabolomics and lipidomics tools to investigate aspects of the metabolic syndrome and how nutrition interacts with health across the life course. This has included studies based on cell culture, model organisms, human diet intervention studies and epidemiology.
Rowett Institute
University of Aberdeen
Foresterhill
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZD
Are urban community food growing projects the answer to the problem of food poverty and the seemingly ever-increasing number of food banks?
My research interests include understanding food practices, food insecurity, food enterprises and the social construction of alternative practices. I approach these from a sociological perspective and specialise in qualitative methodologies to explore lived experience from the perspective of the experiencer. Further details of current research and publications can be found on my staff profile page https://www.abdn.ac.uk/people/j.s.mckenzie/
My research interests include: food insecurity and how it can be tackled; how economic circumstances and food consumption practices are linked; how consumers and producers construct, materially and conceptually, 'alternative' economic networks, both now and in the past. This work is informed by cultural political economy, and I am currently working on how this perspective can be applied to smaller and micro-scales through an engagement with the work of Max Weber and Pierre Bourdieu.
The Rowett Institute
Foresterhill
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZD
My research interests focus on community initiatives, social change and social justice. I am particularly interested in the ways in which local and grassroots movements for change are influencing and being influenced by changes in governing. Further details can be found on my James Hutton Institute staff page.
The James Hutton Institute
Craigiebuckler
Aberdeen AB15 8QH
Scotland UK
This is the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
The Royal Highland Show, taking place over 22nd-25th June at Ingliston Showground, is undoubtedly one of Scotland’s iconic events. Over the four days, the Show attracts nearly 200,000 visitors from across the world, each with a different background but with a common interest in all things farming and rural – just like us!