THE Scottish Government has launched a Happier Mealtimes campaign to help people across the country find locally-sourced, in-season food, and how to prepare it.

Local, in-season food is tasty, healthy and can often be cheaper. It’s also readily available, bursting with flavour and goodness, so rustling up delicious meals needn’t be difficult.

This year is the Year of Food and Drink in Scotland, making it the perfect time to explore the wealth of tasty food Scotland produces and enjoys, from fruit and vegetables to meat, fish and dairy.

Using local suppliers and sourcing in-season food not only supports the local economy, but also contributes to a greenier, healthier lifestyle with the added bonus of knowing that your food has travelled directly from farm, to fork.

Get to know your local supermarkets, local greengrocers, fishmongers, butchers and farmers’ markets. Local and in-season produce is easy to find when you know how and there is a wide range of produce to suit all tastes and budgets.

Using in-season and local food means can help keep shopping bills down too. Because it takes less energy to grow and has less distance to travel, it costs less to produce and transport, which often means lower prices and also helps make Scotland a cleaner, greener place.

For tips, recipes and further information on the importance of finding and eating locally-sourced, in-season food and how to prepare it, visit: www.www.greenerscotland.org/eat-greener-avoid-waste.