Welsh food and drink companies are being offered funded support to help improve their sustainability. Eligible companies can receive assistance with waste reduction, process efficiency/improvement, sustainable new product development and compliance with sustainable food standards through the Welsh Government and EU-backed Project HELIX.
The call for Welsh companies coincides with the inaugural Food Waste Action Week which is taking place from 1st to 7th March 2021. The week aims to raise awareness and prompt action across the UK about the impact wasting food has on our planet. It also comes as the Welsh Government recently announced their new strategic vision for Wales’ food and drink sector, which aims to create an industry with world-leading sustainability.
ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre at Cardiff Met University is one of three Food Innovation Wales Centres located across Wales which can offer Project HELIX funded support. ZERO2FIVE has already worked with a number of Welsh companies on sustainability projects including Castell Howell, who were supported to look at waste control in their factory.
Edward Morgan, Group CSR Manager & Training Manager, Castell Howell said:
“We engaged with ZERO2FIVE on a programme to identify food production waste, from goods in to despatch. During the course of ten visits, ZERO2FIVE worked with the team at Farm Fresh to map out areas where waste could be eliminated. A food waste audit system was developed with the team, working towards implementing a zero food waste culture.”
Professor David Lloyd, Director of ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre said:
“People in Wales and across the world are increasingly seeking more sustainable ways of living for themselves and future generations and it is important that the Welsh food and drink industry keeps pace. If your company is looking to improve its sustainability then we encourage you to get in touch, whether you require assistance with reducing factory waste or developing new products using waste ingredients.”
For further information about Project HELIX funded support, visit https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/health/zero2five/services/Pages/default.aspx