A new guide designed to help Scotland’s food and drink wholesalers prepare for climate change and build resilience has been published by the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA), in partnership with the Adaptation Scotland programme.
The guide highlights the climate challenges wholesalers face, including extreme weather, supply chain disruptions and challenges with storage infrastructure, and the adaptation they can take to respond.
It offers steps to support workforces, premises, products, supply chains and the surrounding environment. It also features real examples from businesses showing how they’re already adapting and finding opportunities to strengthen their business resilience.
Ylva Haglund (left), head of sustainability and communications at the SWA, said: “Scotland’s food and drink wholesalers play a critical role in ensuring that food is available across the country. This crucial resource provides them with information, guidance and tools to manage climate risks, implement adaptation strategies, and build resilience.
“We’re thrilled to be working with the Adaptation Scotland programme to support our members to become climate ready – helping to safeguard their businesses and protect access to food in the communities they serve in the process.”
Haglund added: “This new publication is a valuable asset for wholesalers, designed to offer practical, straightforward guidance on steps to take to strengthen wholesale businesses against climate risks, but also seize new growth opportunities.”
Adaptation Scotland is delivered by Verture, the climate resistance charity, and funded by the Scottish Government. The new resource has been co-developed by SWA members including Bidfood and Greencity Wholefoods which both feature in case studies.
Speaking about its own actions in response to a severe storm in early 2025, Greencity’s HR manager, Leigh Galletly, said: “When it became apparent Storm Éowyn posed not just a significant threat to our ability to deliver but also to life, we kicked into action and came together to plan around it.
“As a result of that extreme situation, and knowing that it may well reoccur, Greencity has devised an action plan to be better prepared for similar weather events going forward.”
The full guide can be accessed here.
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