 A Pembrokeshire-produced sorbet has been crowned the winner of the Great Taste Golden Fork from Wales for 2026, recognising it as the finest Welsh product among this year’s top Great Taste Award winners.
Selected from the eight Welsh products awarded the coveted 3-star rating in the Great Taste Awards 2026, the Golden Fork from Wales was awarded to Fire and Ice for its Passion Fruit Sorbet at an event held in London last night.
Fire and Ice, based in Narberth, Pembrokeshire, has been crafting award-winning artisan gelato and sorbet since 2011. The family-run business has earned a reputation for pushing flavour boundaries through its innovative sorbet creations while championing high-quality Welsh ingredients.
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 We would like to remind you that the Healthy Eating in Schools (Nutritional Standards and Requirements) (Wales) Regulations 2025 for maintained nursery and primary schools will come into force on 31 October 2026.
The updated Regulations strengthen requirements for healthier menu choices and place greater emphasis on reducing foods high in fat, sugar and salt, ensuring learners have access to nutritious food that supports their health, wellbeing and attainment.
As valued partners in the school food supply chain, your support will be essential in helping schools and catering providers achieve compliance with the new standards.
In particular, we would like to draw your attention to the updated nutrient requirements for free sugar which can be seen in this guidance document. The Welsh Government also commissioned specialist nutritional expertise in support of the implementation of the updated Regulations which has focused on developing a consistent approach to the calculation and application of free sugar values within school menu nutritional analysis.
We encourage suppliers to begin discussions with school catering services now to identify opportunities to support compliance ahead of implementation.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss how you can support implementation of the Regulations, please contact FoodinSchool@gov.wales.
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 Download the Blas Cymru / Taste Wales directory featuring suppliers that can support schools in sourcing Welsh food and drink products.
Discover a nation of food and drink innovators - Schools Suitable Directory
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 Could B Corp certification help future-proof your business? Join our webinar series to discover how the B Corp framework can drive positive impact, create lasting value and support long-term success.
B Corp certification is a globally recognised standard for responsible business, helping organisations measure and improve their social and environmental impact while strengthening accountability and transparency.
Designed for busy food and drink businesses, each webinar will provide practical guidance, real-world examples and clear next steps to help you make meaningful progress.
The series kicks off on 23 September with an introduction to B Corp, covering the certification process, costs and potential benefits. Subsequent sessions delve into the core areas of the framework.
Businesses can attend individual sessions or join the full programme, with every session offering practical insights that can be applied within your organisation.
And remember, our experts are on hand to support you throughout your B Corp journey.
Click HERE to join today.
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 Take advantage of our fully funded expert support and discover how a Carbon Reduction Plan can benefit your organisation. Our technical specialists will work closely with you to understand your operations and develop a tailored plan that identifies practical opportunities to reduce emissions, improve efficiency and support long-term sustainability goals.
Did you know a Carbon Reduction Plan can also help reduce energy use and operating costs? As part of the process, our experts will visit your site, analyse your data and identify opportunities to improve performance, cut carbon emissions and deliver efficiencies that could save your organisation money.
More than 130 businesses have already benefited from developing a Carbon Reduction Plan. Hear from a selection of businesses that have been through the process and discover the impact it has had on their sustainability journey. Helping your food and drink business develop a carbon reduction plan - Food & Drink Wales.
Find out how your business can create a Carbon Reduction Plan with expert sustainability support.
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 If you missed it over the summer, now’s the time to catch up. The latest Food and Drink Climate and Supply Chain Risks Quarterly Monitor published through the Welsh Government-funded Food & Drink Wales Climate Resilience Service, provides essential insight into the challenges shaping the sector.
The report explores key risks from the first half of 2026, including climate impacts, geopolitical uncertainty, commodity price volatility and supply chain disruption. It shows how global events are increasingly affecting food costs, ingredient availability and business operations across Wales.
More importantly, it offers practical actions to help businesses build resilience, strengthen supplier relationships and better manage climate and supply chain risks.
Featured at the Royal Welsh Show, the report highlights why proactive planning is becoming critical for food and drink businesses. Organisations such as Castell Howell have already used the Climate Resilience Service to better understand risks and strengthen their supply chains.
Download the report today and start future-proofing your business.
The next edition will be published in October, bringing the latest intelligence on emerging risks and opportunities.
To learn more about the Climate Resilience Service, contact bwyd-food@bic-innovation.com.
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 This summer's heatwaves were a reminder that climate change is already affecting the food and drink sector. From pressure on crops and livestock to challenges around water, ingredients and transport, extreme weather is creating real business risks today.
How prepared is your business?
The Food & Drink Wales Climate Resilience Service is encouraging manufacturers to complete its fully funded Sustainability & Climate Resilience Self Assessment. Designed specifically for food and drink businesses, it provides a quick and practical way to measure your resilience to climate and sustainability risks.
By completing the assessment, you can:
- Understand your key climate-related risks and opportunities.
- Baseline your business's preparedness for climate impacts.
- Identify priority actions to strengthen resilience and business continuity.
- Support future planning and investment decisions.
- Access tailored support through the Climate Resilience Service.
Whether you're just starting your sustainability journey or already taking action, the assessment will help you understand where you stand and what to do next.
Recent heatwaves have shown how quickly disruption can occur. Spend a few minutes completing the assessment today and take the first step towards building a more resilient business.
👉 Take the fully funded Sustainability & Climate Resilience Self Assessment now: Complete the assessment
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Welsh food and drink businesses can help reduce food waste and support communities by donating surplus food through FareShare Cymru.
FareShare Cymru collects good-quality surplus food from businesses and redistributes it to charities, community groups and food projects across Wales.
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Donations can include fresh produce, dairy, bakery products and other food that may otherwise go to waste.
Businesses can get involved by contacting FareShare Cymru to discuss the type and quantity of surplus food available, collection arrangements and how often donations can be made. FareShare Cymru can help identify a suitable approach, whether donations are made regularly or when surplus becomes available.
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The Surplus with Purpose Cymru Fund helps remove the financial barriers associated with donating surplus food by covering costs such as staffing, packaging and transport. This allows eligible Welsh food businesses to donate surplus food free of charge.
Between April 2025 and March 2026, the fund helped rescue over 58 tonnes of Welsh produce, supporting 186 Community Food Members and providing the equivalent of 138,795 meals to an estimated 21,390 people.
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By working with FareShare Cymru, businesses can reduce waste, demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and ensure good food reaches people and communities across Wales.
The fund has now been renewed for a further three years, creating more opportunities for Welsh producers to donate surplus food.
Find out more at Working together to reduce food waste - Food & Drink WalesWorking together to reduce food waste - Food & Drink Wales / FareShare Cymru, or contact swp@fareshare.cymru.
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 Pennog has demonstrated a commercial relevant technology that can recover more nutrients from waste streams, produce valuable agricultural products and significantly improve water quality.
Food manufacturing wastewaters and farm slurries are rich sources of nutrients. However, the high volumes generated make them expensive to store and transport. They will often be chemically separated and/or diverted to energy generation (e.g. anaerobic digestion, biochar) with a consequent loss in their nutrient potential.
Funded by Welsh Government and delivered in collaboration with Contracts for Innovation Cymru, Pennog Ltd (t/a Pennotec) worked with South Caernarfon Creameries and Bryncir Mart to develop and demonstrate the use of the natural solid/liquid separation aid ‘chitosan’ in combination with a new shell-based adsorbent product to convert cheese manufacturing wastewater and livestock slurry water into nutrient-dense fertilisers and relatively clean water.
Pennog’s technology to recover farm and food nutrients, comprises chitosan flocculation, followed by solid/liquid separation by Dissolved Air Floatation (DAF) and wave dewatering and generates a high solids, high nutrient content cake.
This technology was successfully demonstrated on a commercial scale at South Caernarfon Creameries’ wastewater treatment plant and with livestock truck washdown water at Bryncir Mart. The Nitrogen and Phosphorus content of chitosan-recovered farm manure solids was 70% and 40% higher respectively, compared with solids recovered without chitosan. The recovered cheese factory solids were rich in protein, fat and carbohydrate.
Operating in a pilot-scale column system, Pennog’s unique, shell-based adsorbent was able to substantially reduce COD, phosphate and nitrogen in separated water outflows to bathing quality levels. Nutrients were recoverable from the column and the adsorbent could be re-used multiple times.
This Circular Economy solution, to be delivered to the market by sister Pennosan Ltd., has the potential to substantially reduce wastewater and slurry management costs for food manufacturers, farms and marts. Pennog is now seeking investment support to scale-up adsorbent manufacture and use in commercial-scale column systems.
To learn more, please contact enquiries@pennotec.com or ContractsforInnovationCymru@wales.nhs.uk
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 Helo Blod is a free, fast and friendly Welsh translation and advice service that will help you use more Welsh in your business. Using just a little bit of Cymraeg can make a big difference.
From translating menus, business cards or signage, to advice on making your website bilingual – Helo Blod is here to support you!
Helo Blod can provide:
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Free Translations – Helo Blod can translate up to 500 words per month for you, completely free of charge.
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Text checking – Helo Blod can check 1,000 words per year for free, so you have the peace of mind that the materials you’re producing in Welsh are correct.
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Advice and guidance – Helo Blod can offer practical advice, guidance and support to help your business use a little (or a lot) of Welsh. And if you need anything extra, Helo Blod will put you in touch with someone who can help - just ask Blod!
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Merchandise – Helo Blod can send out useful goodies like lanyards and badges, which let your customers know you have staff who can speak or are learning Welsh, as well as free bilingual Open/Closed door signs.
Spread your message further.
Turn customers into regulars.
Bring communities together.
Pop over to our website and start making the most of Helo Blod’s services today! gov.wales/HeloBlod
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 The Cultural Ambassadors course is a fantastic opportunity for anyone working in Wales’ food, drink and hospitality sector to develop their skills, expand their network and play a role in promoting the Welsh language, Welsh culture and what makes our communities unique. The course is available online and is completely free.
Food and drink businesses are at the heart of our communities, offering experiences that reflect Wales’ history, culture and local character. This course will give you the knowledge and confidence to share those stories with loyal customers and help create meaningful and memorable experiences for visitors.
These skills can also help businesses welcome people who move into our communities, introducing them to the Welsh language, local culture and the stories that make each area special. In doing so, businesses can help new residents feel part of the community and create stronger connections between residents, customers and visitors.
The Cultural Ambassadors course offers:
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Free training – Learn how to promote local culture, engage with customers and showcase what makes your area special.
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Build confidence – Develop the confidence to share stories about your community, the Welsh language and Wales’ cultural heritage.
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Networking opportunities – Bring people together by celebrating our culture.
Every business can play a part in showcasing what makes Wales special. Why not become a Cultural Ambassador and help share your community’s story with the world?
Visit the website to find out more and register today.
Cultural Ambassador Course – Welsh Ambassadors
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Meet The Buyer
Wednesday 14th - Thursday 15th October - The Tower of London Hotel, St Katherine's Way, London.
The Food and Drink Exporters Association proudly presents the biggest UK food and drink international in-person buyer event of the year!
This is your exclusive opportunity to meet 75 carefully selected, high-calibre international buyers from key global markets – all flying into London for two full days of high-impact 1:1 meetings.
The UK’s finest food & drink companies will connect in more than 2,000 targeted meetings – forging new partnerships, securing listings and accelerating export growth.
Discover your gateway to 75+ global buyers at The Big Meet the Buyer, London (14-15 October 2026). Find out more.
Download the event flyer for full details of the programme, buyers and networking opportunities.
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New Food & Drink Wales website is now live
We’re delighted to announce that the new Food & Drink Wales website is now live!
The new website provides a fresh online home for Food & Drink Wales, helping visitors discover more about our work and keeping them connected with the latest from the sector.
Further features and enhancements will also be added over the coming weeks, including a rolling gallery linked to our social media feed.
This is Food and Drink. This is Wales. | Food & Drink
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