New initiative boosts businesses in South Wales

The Welsh Assembly Government has launched an 18-month pilot scheme that aims to support struggling food and drink companies in South Wales.

The Sustainable Supply Chains initiative will seek to safeguard Welsh food and drink businesses for the long term by helping them to develop local and robust supply chains. It is run in partnership with two other organisations - Ecostudio and f3, both of which are consultants for the practical application of sustainable business development.
“This will help to ensure the long-term business survival of food and drink companies across South Wales and I am sure could be a real help to project participants during this economically challenging time,” said rural affairs minister Elin Jones. “The project will also work to secure a more resilient food economy for Wales and will help to address wider concerns around climate change and national food security.”
The project will help primary producers in the region work together to sell more produce locally; enable trading links between local producer groups, processors and buyers from across the entire supply chain; provide practical advice to help businesses adapt to new challenges and customer demands for ethical food; and demonstrate how businesses can embrace more sustainable practices to achieve long-term success.
Iain Cox, director of Ecostudio added: “Food and drink businesses must adapt in the face of new challenges and customer demands in order to remain competitive. This initiative provides opportunities for small companies to access new markets and develop sustainable ways of doing business.”
The project will seek to support over 100 businesses over the next 15 months.