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A new Community Food Strategy aims to strengthen local food systems, improve healthy eating, and create more sustainable communities across Wales.
The strategy a key commitment in the Welsh Government's Programme for Government, focuses on connecting Welsh producers with consumers, supporting community-led food projects, and ensuring healthier food is accessible to all.
Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies said:
"Food lies at the heart of all our lives. The land in Wales with its beauty and magnificence, brings many opportunities which is why our produce is some of the finest in the world.
What we eat impacts not only our physical and mental health, but also our environment, our culture, and benefits our communities. This strategy is shaped by the voices and local communities across our land and seas.”
The Welsh Government is committing over £2 million in 2025-26, with funding secured through to March 2028, to support local food initiatives.
Continue reading this press release - New strategy aims to build a healthier and more resilient food system across Wales | GOV.WALES
To read the CFS - Community Food Strategy | GOV.WALES
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 Want to save money, attract more customers, and stay ahead of regulations? Cutting your carbon emissions can help you do all that - and more.
Welsh food and drink businesses can now access free expert support to measure their carbon footprint and develop a tailored carbon reduction plan. It's a smart way to reduce waste, lower energy costs, and show customers and buyers that sustainability matters to you.
Over 60 Welsh food and drink companies have already completed the Carbon Reduction Pilot in the first year. Whether you're a small producer or a major brand, this support can help you make a real impact.
For further information, contact one of the team at SustainableFD@gov.wales
Learn more about how the pilot has already been helping food and drink businesses from across Wales:
Helping your food and drink business develop a carbon reduction plan - Food & Drink Wales
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Edwards - The Welsh Butcher Case Study
"This new pilot has provided us with the
necessary support to help us develop
our understanding and gain invaluable
insights into a business’s environmental
footprint and unlock opportunities for
impactful changes."
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La Crème Patisserie Case Study
"The Carbon Reduction Pilot has been
crucial for us because it has provided
a manageable and actionable way to
tackle climate change"
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Ellis Eggs Case Study
"Ultimately, we need to be showing
how we’re trying to reduce our
impact on the environment, so we
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certainly found the experience worthwhile. Participating in the pilot not only helps the business but also contributes to a broader understanding and commitment to environmental sustainability and reducing carbon footprint"
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 Entrepreneurial excellence was in the spotlight during a major celebration of the nation’s thriving food and drink sector at the Wales Food and Drink Awards 2025, held in Llandudno recently.
Lord Newborough, owner of Rhug Estate was named ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the industry. Sponsored by Food & Drink Wales, the award celebrated individuals who are leading the way in Wales’ food and drink sector, and those who have demonstrated the ambition to turn bold ideas into successful businesses, and who continue to drive innovation, growth, and resilience across the industry.
Continue reading Championing entrepreneurial success in Welsh food and drink | Business Wales - Food and drink
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 Congratulations to all the winners at this years Wales Food & Drink Awards. The award ceremony took place at Venue Cymru, Llandudno on 22 May.
Winners
Apprentice of the Year – Nicola Culkin, Coleg Cambria – Knolton Farmhouse Cheese
Artisan Business of the Year – Atlantic Edge Oysters
Business Resilience Award – Cradoc’s Savoury Biscuits
Drinks Producer of the Year (Over 5 employees) – Penderyn
Entrepreneur of the Year – Lord Robert Newborough – Rhug Estates
Exporter of the year – South Caernarfon Creameries
Farm to Fork producer of the year – Wainwright’s Bee Farm
Innovation Award – Evan Evans Brewery
Local Community Award – The Wrexham Lager Beer Co
Rising Star of the year – Tom Wickens, Plumstone Welshcakes
Scale-up Company of the year – Pembrokeshire Creamery
Small Drinks Producer of the year (less than 5 employees) – Llanfairpwll Distillery Ltd
Start-up of the year – Porthcawl Distillery
Sustainable Values Award – Rhug Estates
Wales Food and Drink Champion – Blas ar Fwyd
Outstanding Contribution Award – Robin Jones, Village Bakery
Highly commended
Rising Star – Naomi Spaven, Iâl Bakery (Coleg Cambria)
Local Community Award – Tetrim Teas
Food Producer – Tregoes Waffles
F&D Champion – Plas Dinas Country House
Entrepreneur – A-head of the Game Nutrition
Business Resilience Award – Fresh and Tasty Microgreens
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My name is Graham Black, and as a member of the Board, I have a particular interest in seafood. I am a director of Seafish, and chair the Seafish Wales Advisory Committee, which ensures that Welsh issues and concerns are raised and heard at all levels.
The fact is that Wales has a fantastic coastline, with highly productive seas that produce some of the best seafood in the world. Those involved in the industry here are innovative and enthusiastic, and they make a huge
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contribution to coastal communities across the country.
Continue reading Food and Drink Wales Industry Board: update from Graham Black (June 2025) [HTML] | GOV.WALES
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Pembrokeshire College, in collaboration with the Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme, is pleased to announce the launch of a new Food and Drink Engineering Maintenance Apprenticeship course. The initiative derives from discussions at the Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme Expert Group where skills gaps in this field were identified, and aims to meet the growing demand for skilled engineers in the food and drink manufacturing sector.
Continue reading Development of New Food and Drink Engineering Maintenance Apprenticeship Course in Collaboration with Pembrokeshire College | Business Wales - Food and drink
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A campaign to raise awareness of the career opportunities within the food and drink industry in Wales, and challenge perceptions of careers in this field has been launched. |
The Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales Programme is a Welsh Government funded programme committed to working with the food and drink industry to develop a skilled and capable workforce. It supports food and drink businesses with a focus on the Welsh food and drink processing and manufacturing industry to ensure employees have the right skills and training for their business.
Continue reading New Resource Launched as Part of a Recruitment Drive for The Food And Drink Sector | Business Wales - Food and drink
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Welsh Government is inviting food and drink producers to co-exhibit with us at Anuga, Cologne, between 4-8 October. The closing date for applications is 11 July.
This subsidised visit will provide you with the opportunity to showcase your company, gain valuable contacts and build your exports in this region.
By participating, you will benefit from:
- A cost-effective means of visiting the market
- Have a presence under the Cymru Wales brand alongside the UK stand
- Network and engage with key businesses and decision makers in the market
- Share knowledge and information with other Wales and UK participants
- Inclusion in marketing material
Anuga 2025 Flyer (Eng).pdf
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The Welsh food and drink industry has made a significant impact recently at FHA, Food and Beverage, Singapore.
Asia’s premier food and hospitality event featured a showcase of the best of Welsh produce, along with wider activities from the Culinary Association of Wales, resulting in substantial interest from buyers across the region.
The event featured a range of exhibitors, including Dairy Partners and Morning Foods, with both flying the flag for Welsh
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The Sustainability Cluster ran their first face-to-face meeting in May, at the Food Centre Wales.
The group went on a tour of the facilities at Food Centre Wales and heard from Bluestone Wales about their King's award in Enterprise in Sustainability, as well as discussing the upcoming
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support packages around Waste Reduction, Legislation and Alternative Protein. If these are areas you feel you could use support in, feel free to reach out to the cluster.
The next face-to-face Sustainability Cluster meeting will take place on Wednesday 17th September.
The Sustainability Cluster will also be running a series of online meetings, whereby members of the trade will talk about how Welsh food & drink producers can help to meet sustainability goals. The meetings will take place on:
- Tuesday 15th July 10am
- Tuesday 18th November 10am
- Tuesday 20th January 10am
If you’re interested in becoming a member of the Sustainability Cluster and joining in these meetings, please email charlotte.parry@levercliff.co.uk
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The Welsh show season kicked off in sunny fashion last month with the Royal Welsh Spring Festival. The Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells welcomed thousands of visitors for a celebration of rural life with smallholding pursuits at its heart. The weekend-long event was a showcase of the diversity of the Welsh countryside and a fantastic day out for young families, garden enthusiasts and anyone with an interest in the great outdoors.
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Farming Connect took over the Members’ Centre to showcase our growers and Welsh Horticulture with the Growers’ Market. Nine businesses joined us at the entrance to the festival, where people were able to browse a diverse range of stands - Ash & Elm Horticulture (Welsh Flower Barrow), |
Bloomorium, Living Simply Lavender, NPTC, P&J Plants, Microacres, Farmers Welsh Lavender, The Fungi Folk and Root-Up.
For the Farming Connect Horticulture team, the weekend was a fantastic opportunity for us to meet growers and farmers in Wales, to show how our services could help them strengthen their businesses and diversify into new incomes.
We also enjoyed being able to network with growers from all over Wales and beyond to help produce strong, short supply chains and markets for Welsh horticultural products. For more information on services that we can provide to horticulture enterprises, please email the team at horticulture@lantra.co.uk |
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How exporting can enhance SME success, even in challenging times | The Grocer
Quality and provenance continue to drive consumers' food and drink choices – Food Manufacture
Welsh food and drink industry expands globally – Food Navigator
How a comprehensive package of support helps drive impressive growth - Financial Times - Partner Content by Welsh Government
Global profile of Welsh food and drink industry on an upward trajectory - Financial Times - Partner Content by Welsh Government
How the Welsh food and drink industry is embracing measurable change - Financial Times - Partner Content by Welsh Government
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 Join us for this signature event, first launched in 2017 and held bi-ennial, bringing together producers, suppliers, buyers, and food industry professionals from across the world.
Meet an industry under one roof | 3000 Product showcase | 200 NEW product ranges | Time efficient - Diary system to arrange short introductory meetings | Food & Drink Wales expert knowledge to help to identify suitable suppliers
International Convention Centre (ICC) Wales Celtic Manor Resort, Newport
22 October 2025 - 23 October 2025
Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2025 - Meet the Supplier | Business Wales - Food and drink
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