Food and drink companies from across Gwynedd and Ynys Môn came together recently to explore ways of boosting the local economy, tackling food poverty, and promoting sustainable practices within the Welsh food sector. Hosted by the Gwynedd and Ynys Môn Food Partnership, the event took place at Catch 22 Brasserie in Valley, near Holyhead, where more than 35 producers and suppliers gathered to showcase their products and discuss collaborative opportunities.
Delivered by Menter Môn on behalf of the two local authorities, the Partnership is dedicated to promoting sustainable, locally sourced food, with a focus on nutrition, carbon footprint reduction, and healthy living in north-west Wales. Additionally, the Partnership aims to address the cost-of-living crisis by supporting local businesses and ensuring access to affordable, quality food.
Among those at the event was Dafydd Jones of Anglesey Bees, based in Llanddaniel. Alongside his wife, Dawn, Dafydd highlighted the importance of connecting directly with customers to build brand loyalty and awareness. “Building opportunities for our customer base to meet and chat with us is crucial,” he said. “We are passionate about biodiversity, sustainable food production, and connecting people with nature, so this was a valuable platform for us.”
Neil Davies, head chef and proprietor of Catch 22, also praised the initiative and noted that such gatherings are crucial as the hospitality industry recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was brilliant to meet with regular suppliers and local producers, and to welcome some new faces as well,” he commented. “The event was a success and shows the value of the Partnership, and of food and drink to our local economy.”
The forum featured stalls, networking opportunities, and discussions on optimising local supply chains. A presentation from Neil and his wife Mel shared the journey and success of Catch 22, followed by a Q&A session and a panel discussion with producers from Llysiau Medwyn, Bragdy Cybi, Llaeth Medra, and Anglesey Bees, among others.
Exhibitors included Anglesey Foods, Ored Foods, Derw Coffee, Tyddyn Teg, Gwenyn Môn, Cosyn Cymru, Bragdy Cybi, Mon Bakery, and Y Cwt Mwg. The gathering offered these businesses a platform to strengthen relationships and explore collaborative solutions to challenges faced by the sector.
David Wylie, Menter Môn’s Food Project Manager, underscored the importance of the event in fostering connections among small businesses and strengthening local supply chains. “The feedback has been incredibly positive, and being able to discuss commercial opportunities and challenges in person is invaluable,” he said. “We extend our thanks to everyone involved, including Catch 22 and Lafan Consulting, for making this event possible.”
The event was organised amid ongoing efforts by the Welsh Government to strengthen local food networks. In 2022, the government announced a £3 million fund to support the development of cross-sector food partnerships and to build resilience in local food networks. The aim is to tackle food poverty by connecting producers with organisations such as Public Health Wales, Welsh housing associations, and advice services to address local needs.
As small food businesses in Wales continue to seek ways to enhance sustainability and reduce environmental impacts, events like this mark a step forward in achieving a resilient, localised food economy.