Following a seventeen-day ‘firebreak’ in Wales, many businesses across the sector have begun to re-open their doors. We recognise the current uncertainties and circumstances are still challenging for thousands of businesses across the food and drink industry in Wales. With that in mind we are here to provide support and to continue to direct your concerns to the people that need to hear them the most.

As ever, I encourage you to continue to communicate with me and other Board members to share your concerns, raise questions and help determine the best solutions during this time.

It is equally important businesses do not forget about the additional challenges that the industry will face in January 2021 as a result of EU Transition. While many businesses are understandably pre-occupied with the impact of Covid-19, it is vital that we all continue to think ahead as we prepare for inevitable change which will affect how we import and export products. We will continue bring you the latest business information on EU Transition over the critical coming days and take your concerns and questions right to the heart of Government both in Wales and in Westminster.

It is also with great pleasure five new appointees will join the Board bringing a wealth of new varied skills and experience. The appointees will join the current Board and its work in supporting the industry’s Covid-19 recovery alongside preparations for the end of the EU Transition period and our strategy for future growth in Wales. The five new members are: Dr. Rhian Hayward, James Wright, Don Thomas, Margaret Ogunbanwo and Bryson Craske. I have no doubt that the breadth of experience, drive and ambition of the board will be the catalyst for our future success.

Andy Richardson, Chair of the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board

Latest on Covid-19 and EU transition for food and drink businesses

• Firebreak lockdown in Wales ends: New national rules

• ERF Lockdown Business Fund

• The Board and Welsh Government’s Covid-19 Recovery Priorities Plan

• Business Wales Brexit Portal

• Welsh Government: EU Transition Portal

• DEFRA webinars for exporters of animals and products of animal origin to the EU

• EU Exit Hub Targeted at Food Businesses by FDF Cymru

• New guidance published to support commercial fishers, merchants and exporters from 1 January 2021

Latest industry news

• Appointments to Food and Drink Wales Industry Board announced

• Food and drink firms across Wales finding new ways to adapt

• Commission will stay to safeguard food standards

• All the Welsh winners of the Good Food Awards 2021

• New figures show booming lamb sales

• Anglesey Food Week

• Protected food name scheme: UK applications being considered

• Taste Welsh Greats in 2020

• World’s Top Chefs Coming to Wales Next Year for Prestigious Event

• Wales Real Food & Farming Conference goes virtual – 16-19 November

• The Food People – Food and Beverage Annual Summit – 24 November

Recent key actions from the Board

• The Board met with Food Sense Wales about the impact of Covid-19 on food poverty across Wales. The Board is actively working with Food Sense Wales and Welsh Government to help address these vital challenges and improve food security in Wales.

• The Board continues to promote the interests of Welsh food and drink businesses with Welsh Government and with Westminster on non-devolved issues as we approach the end of the EU Transition. We have daily meetings with key Government departments and officials to champion the issues that are important to welsh food and drink businesses. Our aim is to bring Welsh food and drink businesses the information they need as information becomes available during this critical time.

• The Board continues to work on the delivery plan for the Covid-19 recovery strategy with a focus on eleven key topics including market intelligence, business advice, online sales, productivity and business resilience and risk management, added value, affordable finance, industry accreditation, retail plan, global trade sustainable business models and developing new skills.

• The Board continues to work with cluster groups on sustainable goal processes to be applied to more and more businesses and brands across Wales.

• The Board continues to work with Zero2Five Food Centre on developing plans for supply chain innovation for the food manufacturing and processing sectors.

• The Board continues to share links to information, support and toolkits via Twitter and LinkedIn.

Board 'How to' guides

How to redirect surplus food to the plates of people who need it

One of the impacts of the Covid19 pandemic has been to make society more connected with food and supply chains, from the issues surrounding supermarket panic buying to the distribution of food to those shielding. With more Welsh communities now in need of food than ever, how can your business or organisation help?

What are the food products I can redistribute? Any type of food surplus that is in good condition to redistribute – from labelling errors, discontinued lines, samples, and fruit and veg past its BBE, to bulk ingredients for manufacturing. The charity Fare Share Cymru can safely store and redistribute all kinds of fresh, frozen, ambient and chilled foods, including retailer branded foods.

Where does the food go? Food surpluses benefit people and community groups across Wales including homeless shelters, food banks and school breakfast clubs.

Why should I redistribute my surpluses? This year has been challenging for many, especially those in the vulnerable categories, the homeless and families living in poverty. By redirecting surpluses that would otherwise be wasted, you can help ensure people in your community get the food they need, as well as reducing your organisation’s impact on the environment.

Of course, many businesses in Wales are experiencing the pressures caused by the Covid19 pandemic as well as preparing for the EU Transition period, but redirecting food waste is a vital opportunity to help support the communities of Wales that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Fare Share Cymru’s latest Surplus Food Distribution Guide explains more.

Contact the team at Fare Share Cymru to find out more.

How to access free training and business support for Welsh SMEs in the Healthy Food & Drink Sector

Healthy lifestyles have never been more important than in these difficult times, and across Wales innovative businesses are working hard to support consumers by providing healthy food and drink options. The European Union is funding AHFES - the Atlantic Area Healthy Food Eco-Systems project - under the Interreg programme. The programme has also received support from Welsh Government.

From January 2021 until August 2022, this will provide training and business support services to SMEs working in this important area, via partners involved from Wales, Northern Ireland, Spain, Portugal, France and Ireland.

Training will cover topics such as consumer insight and market understanding, product lifecycle management, home and international market development and the product development critical path. Support will be available in areas such as creating business plans, facilitating collaborative projects, applying for funding, market research and preparing to export.

This training and support will be available free of charge, to small or medium sized food and drink business, based in Wales, and working to grow their business in the area of healthy food and lifestyles.

As Project Partner for Wales, BIC Innovation are inviting Welsh SMEs in the healthy food and drink sector to spend a few minutes helping shape the training and services offered by taking this survey.

Click here for more information.

How to access free online training with BioInnovation Wales

BioInnovation Wales, a European Social Fund-funded project run from Aberystwyth and Swansea Universities is offering free distance learning courses to those living or working in Wales. The online courses will focus on the circular economy, highlighting food and drink production and processing.

The next intake for students for these courses is in February 2021. Below is a taste of what students can expect:

Fermentation for Food Applications – aimed at anyone interested in developing or refining processes for brewing, yoghurt and cheese making, making probiotic products or waste valorisation.

Membrane Filtration Technologies – get up to speed with using low cost membrane technologies to manage and add value to liquid ‘waste’ from agriculture, and the food and drink industries.

Precision Livestock Production – explores the latest precision technologies and looks at how these can be used to improve monitoring and benchmarking within intensive and extensive livestock systems.

Future of Packaging – assess the challenges and opportunities around packaging, and to provide businesses with the tools to develop their own packaging strategies.

Waste Resource Management - focusses on resource management within the food sector highlighting the latest relevant research within production, processing and retail.

To register your place, visit the Bio Innovation Wales website or get in touch at biastaff@aber.ac.uk

Stay connected for updates on Twitter and LinkedIn. Join our Facebook Group to collaborate workforce. Get in touch with us via email at Chair.FDWIB@gov.wales