Food and Drink Wales Newsletter - September 2024

September 2024 • Issue 034

News

Blas Cymru / Taste Wales Conference 2024 - Registration Open!

Join the inaugural Food and Drink Wales Blas Cymru / Taste Wales Conference taking place on Thursday 24 October 2024 at Venue Cymru, Llandudno. If you’re a Welsh food and drink business, the conference is not to be missed. The event will include practical seminars, industry workshops, expert panels, and specialist surgeries along with an opportunity to find out about the full suite of Welsh Government support available to the food and drink industry in Wales.

Come with questions, leave with answers!

Please register HERE.

The Blas Cymru / Taste Wales Brokerage (Meet the Supplier and Product Showcase) will continue to be delivered on a biennial basis and will take place 22 – 23 October 2025.

Food and Drink Wales Industry Board: update from Valerie Creusailor (August 2024)

Valerie Creusailor is the founder of Goch & Co Ltd, an award-winning company driven by passion, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Valerie was appointed as a member of the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board earlier this year, which aligns perfectly with her passion and professional journey, her focus will be on strategic initiatives that promote the unique qualities of Welsh food and drink, both nationally and internationally.

Royal Welsh Show 2024

A busy week with exciting activity and announcements for the food and drink industry in Wales:

Statistics published showing the food and drink industry in Wales grew by 10% last year - Economic Appraisal: Welsh Food and Drink sector | Business Wales - Food and drink (gov.wales)
Published Food Matters: Wales, a publication summarising Welsh Government's main food related policies and activities aligned to the well-being objectives set for the Programme for Government - Food Matters: Wales | GOV.WALES
Food Innovation Wales announced Project HELIX has reached a £491m milestone in support of the food and drink industry - Welsh Government backed Project HELIX reaches £491m milestone in support of food and drink industry | Business Wales - Food and drink
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies MS, shared that an Agri-Food Technology Challenge Fund will shortly be launched to encourage agricultural and food businesses across Wales to develop technology-based solutions to challenges that affect their businesses.
2,000 products from over 300 food and drink businesses in Wales were showcased in the Food & Drink Wales Business Lounge.
Over 280 buyers from retailers and foodservice, hospitality providers and public procurement officers were welcomed to the Food & Drink Wales Business Lounge to develop their knowledge and understanding of the breadth and depth of the Welsh food and drink supply base and to identify potential new products and suppliers.
85 of Wales' finest food and drink businesses participated in the iconic Food Hall, including 19 businesses who exhibited on the Food & Drink Wales Cywain and Sustainability Cluster stands.
40 members from LACA – The School Food People, were welcomed to the Food and Drink Business Lounge and provided with an overview of the Food & Drink Wales Trade Development Programme and were facilitated with introductions to existing and potential suppliers suitable for school sector catering.
Visitors to the Royal Welsh Show had the opportunity to taste the best of Welsh food-to-go produce at the GWLEDD | FEAST Food Village, which received Welsh Government grant support through the Food & Drink Festivals & Events Small Grant Scheme.

Great Taste Awards 2024

The Great Taste Awards 2024 has once again highlighted the exceptional quality of Welsh food and drink, with numerous producers being recognised for their outstanding products. In a remarkable showcase of culinary prowess, Welsh producers have been honoured with a remarkable 149 awards, with 97 products achieving 1-star, 45 receiving 2-stars and 7 earning the gold stamp of approval with 3-stars.

Sustainability Handbook and Toolkit

Updated for 2024, Food & Drink Wales has launched a handbook and toolkit to help food and drink manufacturers enhance their sustainability performance.

This resource includes a free self-assessment for businesses that want to capitalise on consumer demand for sustainably produced food and drink.

By completing the assessment before 30th September, you’ll help shape a first-of-its-kind sustainability benchmark for the Welsh industry. Plus, you’ll receive a bespoke action plan with practical steps to work towards.

All responses will be used anonymously and contribute to the Welsh Government’s vision to establish Wales as one of the most environmentally and socially responsible food and drink supply chains in the world.

Consultation on free range egg and poultry meat marketing standards

Consultation launched seeking further views from the wider public on potential changes to free-range egg and poultry meat labelling. The consultation will be open for 6 weeks from 29 July to 9 September.

Consultation and Call for Evidence –Proposals to make the food environment healthier

We want your views on The Food (Promotion and Placement) (Wales) Regulations. We are also calling for evidence on energy drink consumption in children.