Food and Drink Wales Industry Board - Chair's Update December 2020

As we near the end of this tumultuous year, with many challenges still to navigate, we must not
forget the bedrock of successes that the Welsh Food and Drink industry is based upon.

Appointments to Food and Drink Wales Industry Board announced

The five new appointments will join the current board and its work in supporting the sectors Covid-19 recovery and preparations for the end of the EU transition period.

UK Transition Period

Read the latest new guidance for businesses and visit the Business Wales EU Transition Portal which provides important advice and guidance for businesses preparing for European transition.

Building business resilience in volatile times

As 2020 draws to a close, Welsh food and drink manufacturers are facing volatile conditions through the impact of Covid-19, EU Exit and a unpredictable Christmas trading period.

This Food Skills Cymru recorded online webinar video took place as part of this year's Royal Welsh Winter Fair.

Essential Food Box Scheme in Wales

In March 2020, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Frank Atherton wrote to 125,000 clinically vulnerable people requesting them to take shielding measures, including staying at home for 12 weeks. As a result of this advice the Welsh Government explored the provision of food boxes for those people in Wales who had no family or friends for support, or were unable to access online food deliveries due to unprecedented demand.

Rural Business Investment Scheme – Food (RBIS)

The Rural Business Investment Scheme - FOOD (RBISF) is a capital investments scheme to support projects that offer clear and quantifiable benefits to the food and drink industry in Wales. The £3.2m scheme is open to existing and start up micro & small food and drink processors and manufacturers throughout Wales. 

The Expression of Interest for the Rural Business Investment Scheme - FOOD will open on 18 January 2021 and closes on 22 February 2021.

Promotional work with our Welsh producers ahead of the new UK GI scheme launch on 1^st January 2021

Updated guidance on the new UK GI scheme will be available on our website from the 4^th January. In the meantime, further guidance and support is available to Welsh producers by contacting us at UKGI.Wales@gov.wales

Circular Economy Fund

Welsh Government and WRAP Cymru realise that many organisations are facing significant challenges resulting from COVID-19. In response, we have implemented changes to the £6.5 million Circular Economy Fund, which are designed to support even more organisations and more quickly.

Welsh food & drink producers come together to create unique shopping opportunity

Welsh food and drink producers are encouraging the feeling of togetherness this Christmas by collaborating to create a unique range of gift boxes and hampers for festive shoppers.

Welsh drinks producers get into the festive spirit with the launch of the ‘Make It A Welsh Drinks Christmas’ event

Over 100 drinks producers in Wales are coming together to create the first ever ‘Make It A Welsh Drinks Christmas’ event to showcase the quality and diversity of Welsh drinks produced across the country ahead of the festive season.

Imports of organic products from third countries

The Commission have now published their draft legislation listing UK control bodies for organics and setting out the categories.

All six UK bodies including ‘‘Quality Welsh Food Certification Ltd’ are listed.

AHFES is a European project funded by the Atlantic Area programme.

The project is working locally with Welsh Government and BIC innovation, who are both partners in collaborating across the Atlantic Area to improve the overall competitiveness and growth of SMEs. In an ever-shrinking world BIC Innovation and AHFES are building a transnational innovation ecosystem. A system that will help SMEs access knowledge, partners, and markets. Working to align their products and services to the evolving consumer needs and expectations.

You can catch up with the recent health food trends and analysis on the AHFES website make sure to keep up to date by following our latest findings via  twitter @AhfesProject  and Linkedin   at  Atlantic-area-healthy-food-eco-system-project

Embrace Cymraeg and reap the benefits with Helo Blod

Helo Blod has already helped a range of businesses in the food and drink industry to use a little bit more Cymraeg.  

So, whether you’re looking to enhance your customer experience by providing bilingual menus, websites, social media posts or just want to let your customers know you and/or your staff can speak or are learning Welsh, Helo Blod is here to help – and it’s free!

Using just a little bit of Cymraeg can go a long way. Our customers Gower Gin and Jin Talog have been using Welsh and loving it with a little help from Helo Blod.

Gower Gin - twitter.com/HeloBlod/Status

Jin Talog - twitter.com/HeloBlod/Status

Join us and create a free account on the Helo Blod website today. gov.wales/HeloBlod

Wales Rural Network Support Unit 

The Wales Rural Network Support Unit (WRNSU) supports a forum to promote the exchange of expertise in rural development. WRNSU is open to anyone interested in rural development or involved with the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and the schemes it funds.

Twitter - https://twitter.com/WalesRuralNet Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WalesRuralNet/

Welsh Government’s Retail Market Intelligence Webinars - Helping Welsh producers get ahead of the competition

As part of the Food & Drink Wales Covid-19 Recovery Plan, Levercliff will be delivering a series of 10 webinars in January 2021 designed to provide Welsh Food & Drink producers with Retail Market Intelligence on relevant categories.

Free Training and business support for Welsh SME’s in the Healthy Food & Drink Sector

The Atlantic Area Healthy Food Eco-Systems project will provide training and business support services to SME's working in this area. Training and support will cover a variety of topics and will be free of charge to small or medium sized drink businesses, based in Wales, and working to grow their area of healthy food and lifestyles.

Meet ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre Online

Although people are unable to visit ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are still running our Meet ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre events online so companies can find out more about the support we can offer.

Free Online Training with BioInnovation Wales

BioInnovation Wales is offering free distance learning courses to those living or working in Wales. Courses are all focused around the circular economy, with a number of these centred around food and drink production and processing. The content is delivered entirely online and the next intake of students is in February 2021.