Scotland has taken a major step towards a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable food future with the publication of its First National Good Food Nation Plan.
On 17 December 2025, the Scottish Government unveiled The First National Good Food Nation Plan, a comprehensive strategy designed to transform Scotland’s relationship with food.
The plan outlines six overarching outcomes, supported by measurable targets and indicators, and brings together food-related policies from across government departments. For rural and island communities, where food production is both a livelihood and a way of life, this plan represents a significant opportunity to shape Scotland’s food future.
Strengthening Local Economies
The plan recognises the vital role of farmers, crofters, and fishers in sustaining Scotland’s food economy. It sets out ways to strengthen local supply chains and ensure communities benefit directly from the food they produce, highlighting the importance of farming, fishing, and food processing as cornerstones of rural and coastal economies.
By supporting local producers and encouraging sustainable practices, the plan aims to ensure that communities can continue to thrive while contributing to Scotland’s global reputation for high-quality produce.
Community orchard, Perthshire
Protecting the Environment
With climate change and biodiversity loss pressing hard, the plan commits to safeguarding Scotland’s natural resources. Rural and island areas are central to this effort, ensuring our land and seas remain productive for generations. Rural and island areas, with their unique ecosystems, are central to this effort, ensuring that Scotland’s “natural larder” is preserved for generations to come.
Improving Health and Food Access
The plan aims to make healthy, nutritious food easier to access. It also acknowledges the ongoing issue of food insecurity, pledging to ensure dignified access to food for all households, including those in remote communities.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon MSP, emphasized that food is “at the heart of our coastal and rural communities, providing jobs, community and a way of life.” She noted that the plan is not just about policy but about stewardship – recognizing the interconnected nature of Scotland’s food system and the need for collective action.
She added:
“In recent times we have seen a great deal of evidence of how fragile yet vital our food supply chain truly is. Global disruption caused by conflict, political upheaval due to Brexit, and a pandemic have emphasised the importance of the essential workers who power our food chain. The twin threats of climate change and biodiversity loss can only be met if all parts of the food supply chain work together.
“Alongside this the health of the people of Scotland depends on improving our relationship with food. A key goal of our Good Food Nation is to encourage the creation of food environments that enable more people to eat healthy and nutritious foods, to improve health outcomes for the population of Scotland.”
What Comes Next
Implementation: The plan sets out practical steps for government and partners to deliver on its ambitions.
Measurement: Progress will be tracked through clear targets and indicators, ensuring accountability.
Future Iterations: This is the first of many Good Food Nation Plans, with future versions expected to build on the foundations laid in 2025.
Key Takeaways for Rural and Island Communities
Opportunities for collaboration: Farmers, fishers, crofters, and local businesses are invited to play a central role in shaping Scotland’s food future.
Support for resilience: The plan acknowledges recent global disruptions—from Brexit to the pandemic—and seeks to strengthen Scotland’s food supply chain against future shocks.
Community wellbeing: By linking food to health, environment, and economy, the plan places rural and island communities at the heart of Scotland’s Good Food Nation journey.
The First National Good Food Nation Plan is intended to be more than a policy document – it is a call to action for Scotland’s rural and island communities to lead the way in building a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable food system.
