Rural Enterprise
Conwy Food Project
Conwy has a strong image of wholesomeness and rurality. It has a strong primary food production sector and several successful award winning food businesses producing everything from cakes to sausages. Conwy Feast and Llandudno Junction farmers market also demonstrate the support and demand for local food. The Food Project aims to harness these strengths and establish Conwy as region renowned for the quality and variety of its food and drink.
The project will engage with existing producers in order to maximise the economic benefits of the food sector within rural Conwy. There will be an emphasis on strengthening links between producers, suppliers and customers, as well as raising the profile of the quality and variety of local produce. This will be achieved by undertaking an audit of local producers, promoting produce in local events, networking events and distributing samples of local produce to visitors.
A small grant scheme for micro food producers will be established. The grants scheme will offer a 50% grant for micro business starts that do not have the scale or experience to engage with the wider support structure.
Food producers will be provided with access to specialist support in order to identify and progress new food products. The project will seek to recruit specialists to work with producers and signpost towards other sources of support.
The project will also facilitate the establishment of the Conwy Food Producers Group. This will provide a focus and a forum for the activities of the project, and ensure that local producers are able to contribute to the implementation. Support will also be provided through the project for joint marketing activities between the producers.
Are you interested?
The Food Project can benefit anyone involved in producing or selling food in Rural Conwy. Whether you are a producer in need of new equipment or a restaurant looking to make better use of local produce, there is support available. To find out more about the various activities, events and support contact Dafydd Gruffydd or Gwenllian Owen at Annog on 01248 725713.
