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 A new initiative has been launched to help food and drink businesses in Wales develop carbon reduction plans. These plans set targets for reducing emissions and outline strategies to achieve these goals.
These plans involve measures like boosting energy efficiency, adopting renewable energy sources, and promoting sustainable practices to help combat climate change.
We are seeking food and drink businesses from across Wales to join the pilot phase which will run from April 2024 to March 2025. As part of the programme, businesses will receive support to establish a baseline for their carbon footprint and develop a carbon reduction plan. The deadline for expressions of interest is 3 May 2024.
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Workplace recycling – Let’s get it sorted
From 6 April 2024, it will become law for all businesses, charities and public sector organisations to sort their waste for recycling.
The Welsh Government is introducing this law to improve the quality and quantity of how we collect and separate waste.
To find out how your workplace will be affected visit: www.gov.wales/workplacerecycling.
For more information contact workplacerecycling@gov.wales
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Insight Conference 2024
The Food & Drink Wales Annual Insight Conference “From Challenge to Success” took place last month and featured sessions on economy, skills, retail, out of home and new product development.
Those who attended were given exclusive access to world-class insights from Kantar Consulting, Kantar Worldpanel, IGD, thefoodpeople, CGA, FOUR Communications, WorkL and Brookdale Consulting.
If you missed out, recordings and presentation materials are now available on the Food & Drink Wales Members area. You can sign up to the member’s area on the Food & Drink Wales website here.
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Leading organic farm estate near Corwen, North Wales joined forces with the Welsh Government Sustainability Cluster to celebrate B Corp Month in March.
As part of the celebration, Rhug Estate hosted an in-store promotion within their farm shop, featuring a selection of Welsh B Corp food and drink companies. The in-store promotion highlighted the commitment of Welsh companies to sustainable and ethical business practices, and provided an opportunity for customers to discover and support local B Corps.
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Some of Wales’ best known food and drink companies have recently returned from Japan, where they have been promoting the best of what Wales has to offer at Asia’s largest food and drink exhibition.
Supported by the Welsh Government, seven food and drink producers from Wales attended Foodex Japan, under the Cymru/Wales banner, with many returning having made important new contacts, that will hopefully lead to lucrative orders.
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Hundreds of micro, small and medium-sized businesses in Wales will soon be able to apply for Welsh Government funding designed to help them to reduce their running costs.
Grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 will be available to eligible businesses in the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors.
The £20 million Future Proofing Fund will help businesses strengthen their future trading position by increasing profitability through investment in renewable energy technology, improvements to the fabric of their premises, and upgrades to systems or machinery to reduce energy use.
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 The 2024 CaruCymruCaruBlas LoveWalesLoveTaste industry wide digital campaign was back in force for St David’s Day 2024.
This year’s focused one-day digital campaign created a strong sense of collaboration within the food and drink industry.
- 186 businesses took part, attracting a diverse range of Welsh food & drink suppliers and trade partners - all utilising the new streamlined digital assets.
- High engagement on social media with 4.8 million impressions, 285 mentions, 5,200 likes and 3,300 shares on posts using the #carucymrucarublas #lovewaleslovetaste hashtags.
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Celebrating St David's Day with retail and foodservice
A range of Welsh Government's Food & Drink Wales trade development events in retail and foodservice were held to celebrate St David's Day.
These included events staged at the head office locations of the major multiple retailers with over 40 Welsh food and drink producers taking part. Producers met with a range of head office staff including Chief Executive Officers, senior directors and category managers.
In addition, foodservice wholesaler trade shows in Wales were attended with Welsh Government Showcases staged featuring a wide range of the listed products. The Value of Welshness for foodservice research was conveyed to the hospitality buyers visiting the events.
Over 13,000 buyers and stakeholders from retail and foodservice were engaged across the St David's Day events.
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Export Support
Exporting has the power to transform your business and that is why support for export growth and development is a high priority for the Welsh Government. Whether you are exploring exporting for the first-time or looking to grow your existing exports, the Welsh Government and its partners in Wales can help you succeed.
Did you attend one of the recent Welsh Government Explore Export Wales conferences? If you missed out, the export brochure available in the link below provides details about the Welsh Government’s export support offer.
Explore Export 2024 Brochure: Explore Export Wales (gov.wales)
Visiting an overseas market or exhibiting at an overseas exhibition can be crucial in winning new and retaining existing export business. Welsh Government’s programme of overseas trade missions and exhibitions enables Welsh companies to make connections, explore new markets, build relationships and secure new export orders.
Overseas Events Programme 2024/25: Overseas events | Business Wales - Export (gov.wales)
A range of online resources are also available on Business Wales’ Export Zone to support you with your exporting activities, regardless of what stage you are at with your export journey.
Business Wales Export Zone: Export Hub | Business Wales - Export (gov.wales)
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Export Market Visit to India
India has a fast growing and increasingly affluent consumer market that has an appetite for premium products and services.
This visit to Mumbai and Bangalore, taking place between 11 – 17 May will provide you with the opportunity to showcase your company, gain valuable contacts and build your exports in this market.
Learn more and apply: Export Market Visit to India | Business Wales - Export (gov.wales)
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Food and Drink Export Council - Peer to Peer Programme
Delivered in partnership between the Department for Business and Trade and Welsh Government, join the Food and Drink Export Council (FDEC) on the 23 April for a free networking event for food and drink exporters based in Wales and South-West England.
Hear from business leaders, peers and experts in the food and drink sector, including key-note speaker Stephen Davies, CEO, Penderyn Distillery on how to build your brand in international markets and overcome barriers to exporting.
Representatives from both the public and private sectors will be on hand throughout the day to tell you about the export support services they can offer. There will also be an opportunity to network with peers, speakers, and exhibitors throughout the day.
For more information and to register to attend: https://eu.eventscloud.com/website/13753/
The event will be delivered through the medium of English.
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Through Project HELIX, ZERO2FIVE’s waste reduction experts can offer a variety of funded support to Welsh food and drink companies, including:
- Waste audits - identifying areas of waste and possible solutions to reduce or eliminate waste
- Reviewing and validating waste targets
- Finding alternative uses for waste products
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Are you looking to develop and launch successful new or reformulated products which satisfy consumer demands, are financially viable, meet food safety standards, and comply with the latest food information regulations?
If so, ZERO2FIVE’s series of New Product Development Workshops will take you through the entire Stage Gate approach to new product development from concept through to launch.
These introductory level sessions are targeted towards early-stage businesses and start-ups.
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Our start-up workshop will take you through the key steps and considerations for starting a food and drink business.
The workshop will also highlight support available that can help you turn your ideas into reality.
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