Recognising Wales’ award-winning Sustainable Food Places

Yesterday, seven of Wales’ Sustainable Food Places were recognised for their successful approach to building sustainable and healthy local food systems.  The awards were presented by Derek Walker, Wales’ Future Generations. 

The ceremony took place during the Wales Real Food and Farming Conference, during which Blaenau Gwent, Powys, Pembrokeshire and Bridgend were presented with Bronze awards while Carmarthenshire, RCT and the Vale of Glamorgan were presented with a silver accolade.   

As well as celebrating award winners, Ceredigion and Neath Port Talbot were also congratulated for becoming members of the network, marking their commitment to making healthy and sustainable food a definable characteristic of where people live. 

Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales said:  “Our communities in Wales are facing unprecedented levels of food insecurity and diet related ill-health – and it’s going to take a collective effort at community, local and national level to fix our food system. Local food partnerships in Wales are making a big impact – their community focus and innovations are putting food on the table for those who need it most and they are proving that we can grow more local food in Wales that is good for people and the planet.  

 “This week I am launching my advice for local authorities on how they can help our communities get access to more local, healthy and sustainable food – and my first piece of advice to our local authorities is to get involved in, and support, your local food partnership.” 

Sustainable Food Places is one of the UK’s fastest-growing social movements. Its network brings together pioneering food partnerships from towns, cities, boroughs, districts and counties across the UK that are driving innovation and best practice on all aspects of healthy and sustainable food.  These food partnerships bring together partners from a range of different sectors to help tackle social, economic and environmental issues, working together to ensure good food for all.  They work across-sectors bringing key people together to develop a vision for a more sustainable food future that’s tailored to its local area and responds to its specific needs. 

Food Sense Wales is one of the 6 UK partners leading Sustainable Food Places and supports Wales’ 13 members.  Having been key in establishing and nurturing food partnerships as part of its work leading on the Sustainable Food Places network in Wales, Food Sense Wales now also supports Welsh Government with the development of Wales’ wider network of 22 local food partnerships – one in each of Wales’ local authority areas – promoting innovation and best practice in healthy and sustainable food systems. 

“We’re delighted to have presented seven of Wales’ Sustainable Food Places with awards and so pleased to have welcomed another two new members into the network,” says Pearl Costello, Sustainable Food Places Manager at Food Sense Wales.  “We’re extremely proud of the work going on across Wales, with it being the only UK nation to have food partnerships in every part of the country.  The growing Sustainable Food Places membership, as well as the increasing number of award-winning places in Wales is testament to the hard work and collaboration happening across the country.” 

Food Partnerships take a systems approach meaning they address a range of different yet connected food issues and work together to achieve change.  These issues include household food insecurity – ensuring access to healthy, nutritious food for all – and building resilient local supply chains that reduce Carbon emissions, promote nature and support the local economy.  But food partnerships also do much more than figure out solutions to complex problems.  They drive change; inspire ideas; enable innovation and empower communities to engage with good food-related activities and initiatives. 

Leon Ballin, Programme Manager for Sustainable Food Places across the UK added: “Partnerships across Wales have shown just what can be achieved when creative and committed people work together to make healthy and sustainable food a defining characteristic of where they live. While there is still much to do and many challenges to overcome, Wales’ award-winning partnerships have helped to set a benchmark for the other 120+ members of the UK Sustainable Food Places Network to follow. They should be very proud of the work that they have been doing to transform our collective food culture and food system for the better.” 

ENDS