As part of its innovative Larder Cymru project, Menter M\u00f4n is targeting up to 50 producers and processors from across the country and rolling out mentoring and guidance sessions for successful applicants.<\/p>\n
Funded by Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), the scheme is focused on coordinating and strengthening relations within local supply chains to position regionally produced food and drink as a compelling proposal for large contracts nationwide.<\/p>\n
Larder Cymru Project Manager Dafydd Jones said: \u201cTo complement this, interested parties can get in touch with us for one-to-one sessions where we can offer guidance and support on a range of issues, from procurement to marketing, supply chains and monitoring social value.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese sessions will be crucial as we move forward as we will be able to explore how public sector opportunities benefit their organisation, gauge how much experience and expertise they have and establish key next steps, including an action plan, training and milestones.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cWe are working with public sector purchasers, procurement officers and catering managers in a range of different organisations to understand their supply chain requirements and how we can bridge the gap for independent suppliers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are also in discussions with wholesalers and looking at how small businesses can join forces to be included in tenders for bigger opportunities that would previously have been unavailable to them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe project\u2019s overall aim is to strengthen support within the local supply chain to position locally produced food and drink so that it is a compelling proposal for large supply contracts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe project also looks at lowering the sector\u2019s carbon footprint, increasing profitability for independent businesses in Wales and working towards a more supportive and sustainable arena for producers and the public sector.\u201d<\/p>\n
Menter M\u00f4n will continue to deliver community-driven, innovative projects that have a direct impact on communities in Wales, according to Dafydd.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an example of an initiative that will have a huge effect on small businesses and independent suppliers in Wales while at the same time making a big impact nationally,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy developing shorter supply chains, it will provide the opportunity for food producers and suppliers to go for bigger contracts, the produce will travel a shorter distance \u2013 providing environmental and financial benefits, notably given fuel price hikes \u2013 and this will in turn have a knock-on effect for employment and local industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe add value by working with businesses, trainers and accreditors and referring the suppliers to the right people at the right time, ensuring communication channels are seamless and progress is made.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf their products and services complement each other we can give them the best platform to secure contracts that will make a positive difference to local economies, the environment and communities across Wales for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Larder Cymru attended the LACA \u2013 The School Food People Public Sector Catering expo held during the summer, where they were joined by leading food companies Henllan Bakery, Llaeth y Llan, Harlech Foodservice and Plas Farm, showcasing their produce to food buyers within the public sector ahead of further events later this year.<\/p>\n
For more information, visit www.lardercymru.wales<\/a> or email dafydd.jones@mentermon.com<\/a> . Alternatively, follow @mentermon on social media.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":2093,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-2035","newyddion","type-newyddion","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mentermon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newyddion\/2035","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mentermon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newyddion"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mentermon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/newyddion"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mentermon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2093"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mentermon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2035"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}