Families and individuals across Wales struggling with the cost of
food will receive vital support this winter through £1.7m of
additional funding from the Welsh Government. This funding will
provide help to those most in need and back community projects
working to prevent and tackle food poverty in the longer term.
The funding will:
- provide emergency food aid by helping local groups to store
and distribute food to people who need it most, while also
addressing the underlying causes of food poverty;
- support FareShare Cymru by purchasing equipment to store and
deliver fresh food during the winter months and running food
education activities to help low-income families and individuals
manage rising costs; and
- strengthen food partnerships in every local authority area in
Wales, helping them to address local needs and ensure resources
reach those facing the greatest challenges.
The Wales-wide funding will be announced today at Cegin Hedyn
community kitchen in Carmarthen. Cegin Hedyn, a Pay What You Can
Canteen and Community Kitchen, is part of a network of
organisations tackling food poverty, and works with
Carmarthenshire Food Partnership, Bwyd Sir Gâr Food.
Bwyd Sir Gâr works closely with groups and initiatives across the
region to provide targeted support to those who need it most.
Cegin Hedyn ensures that everyone can have access to fresh,
organic, seasonal produce, with produce being grown steps away in
their Community Allotment. Bwyd Sir Gâr Food has also been
providing vegetables, grown at Bremenda Isaf farm in Llanarthne,
to Cegin Hedyn and has been offering mentoring and support to the
volunteers at the allotment.
Cegin Hedyn is run by chef Deri Reed. He
said: “This funding is a lifeline for communities like ours,
ensuring that we can continue to provide fresh, nutritious meals
to those who need them most while building a more sustainable and
inclusive food system. At Cegin Hedyn, we believe in the power of
food to bring people together and create positive change.
“This support will help us expand our reach, grow more organic
produce locally, and strengthen the food partnerships that make a
real difference in tackling food poverty in Carmarthenshire and
beyond.”
Food Sense Wales works closely with Bwyd Sir Gâr and Food
Partnerships across Wales to help create sustainable solutions to
enable everyone to enjoy healthy and sustainable food.
Katie Palmer from Food Sense Wales said:
“By strengthening its support for food partnerships across Wales,
the Welsh Government is recognising the importance of building
resilience in local food systems – both in terms of diversifying
local supply chains, and by building and organising assets and
civil society in a way that is unique to the needs of the local
community.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, , said: “No one should
have to worry about how they're going to put food on the table.
As a government, we are committed to tackling food poverty and
ensuring support reaches those who need it most.
"This new £1.7m package of funding will provide both local relief
to those struggling with food costs and lay the groundwork for
longer-term solutions to prevent food poverty. By supporting
emergency aid, food education, and local partnerships, we are
addressing this crisis from all angles.
"Local food partnerships are vital in this effort. They work with
inspiring projects, like Cegin Hedyn, which not only provides
meals for people, but also brings people together and supports
the wider community. Their efforts show what can be achieved when
local groups and wider networks come together to support those
most in need."
The additional funding builds on the £2.8m the Welsh Government
has already allocated to help address food poverty this year, and
brings the total to more than £24m invested in this area since
2019.
Notes to editors
Additional quote from Bwyd Sir Gâr Food:
Augusta Lewis, co-ordinator of Bwyd Sir Gâr Food said: “We are
delighted that the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice has
announced this continued support for local food partnerships,
such as Bwyd Sir Gâr Food, across Wales. The funding into 2025
will enable us to continue to strengthen our work to ensure fair
and secure access to nutritious food, particularly for our most
vulnerable citizens.
“Bwyd Sir Gâr Food is committed to working with communities to
co-design place-based solutions and help develop and retain the
social, health, environmental and economic benefits of inclusive
access to local and sustainably produced food.”
