Welsh Colleges Encouraging Use of Welsh Produce

NFU Cymru warmly welcomes the 'College Dining Experience' initiative set up by the Institute of Hospitality, where representatives from numerous Welsh colleges compete against one another in a bid to prepare the highest quality meal using home grown Welsh ingredients.

The competition, which is hoped to take place every two years, has attracted teams from Mid and South Wales colleges and is open to full time students working towards an NVQ qualification in Catering and Hospitality. Teams must serve a three course dinner for 12 people whilst working on a limited budget and must use 75% of Welsh grown food.

NFU Cymru President, Dai Davies said, "This type of initiative is a superb way to indicate to students how much food is produced in Wales and will also point out that Welsh food is produced to the highest quality which in turn leads to better tasting dishes.

"It is extremely encouraging to see the Institute of Hospitality promote home produced food in this way and we fully commend the work they are doing in order to support Welsh farmers and growers wherever possible. At present there is increased public awareness of food mileage and origin so this is an ideal opportunity to show all sectors of the hotel and catering industry that home produced, low food mileage products are available in Wales."

There are six colleges involved in the final which takes place at The Senedd Building, Cardiff Bay on Thursday 14 June, where the winning college will be announced.