Wales produces high-quality food that is truly world-class. But despite this, we are not doing enough to feed ourselves securely. Too many people in Wales lack access to food that is both nutritious and affordable, we are overly reliant on imports, and are we not capturing the full value of food produced here.
A Plaid Cymru government will do more to build food security and literacy, shorten and strengthen food supply chains, and use the public plate to support and develop the Welsh food and drink industry.
As part of a comprehensive new Food Strategy for Wales, we will:
- Develop new, official ‘Made in Wales’ branding that provides consumers with clear information on product sourcing and the carbon-cost savings of buying local.
- Work with major retailers to ensure that every supermarket has a dedicated Welsh produce section.
- Promote and support community food hubs and initiatives that expand food literacy, and increase the availability and affordability of healthy, locally-produced food.
- Work strategically, including through our new National Development Agency, to drive innovation and business development in food and farming, fisheries and aquaculture, and increase value-added food processing in Wales.
- Target and incentivise a progressive increase in horticultural production, with the ambition that 25% of vegetables served in Welsh Schools will be of Welsh origin by 2030.
- Use public procurement to better support our food and drink sector, increasing the proportion of publicly procured food that is of Welsh origin from 23% to at least 50%.
- Introduce a whole-school approach to food, with food literacy and cooking a core part of the curriculum, an audit system for school lunches, and the promotion of excellence in school catering.