University leads by example in ‘Buy the Welsh one' campaign

The Farmers' Union of Wales have urged national and local government and other public organisations to help cut food miles by buying far more local produce and unveiled a "Shopper's Survival Kit" at the Royal Welsh Show.

The kit - an eco-friendly shopping bag incorporating the FUW's bilingual 'Buy The Welsh One' logo and carrying a trolley coin, pen, and shopping list pad - boosts the union's "Help Cut Food Miles...Buy The Welsh One" campaign launched last year. It will be on sale throughout the show for just £1

During today's press conference in the FUW pavilion on the showfield at Llanelwedd, an excellent example of local food procurement was outlined by Aberystwyth University's farm manager Huw McConnochie and head of hospitality Kevan Downing.

They got together a few months ago and agreed that the university's 10 organic and conventional farm units throughout mid and north Ceredigion should start providing fresh meat and vegetables for its four restaurants and large conference catering service.

"We began with beef and have just introduced lamb. In September we intend to supply potatoes and we also plan to grow about 180 acres of cereals and set up a partnership with Penlon Brewery at Llanarth to supply them with malted barley for their beers," said Mr McConnochie.

"We started by taking two steers or two heifers just 18 miles to William Lloyd Williams' slaughterhouse at Machynlleth and we are now picking up the ready-packed meat when we deliver another two animals for slaughter two weeks later.

"A fortnight ago we started killing lambs when we took six to the slaughterhouse. All in all, we travel just 18 miles there and 18 miles back - you can't have fewer food miles than that. We have even introduced a meat box scheme for staff who can order from a weekly e-mail we send them."

Mr Downing said he and Mr McConnochie were extremely keen on serving local food to staff, students and the increasing number of the public using the university's catering facilities.

"We also serve meat from butcher Robert Rattray, Rachel's Organic yoghurt and dairy products and Birchgrove eggs - all fresh food suppliers from within a few miles of the university's Penglais campus.

"We compost our own waste and Huw is now talking about growing oil seed rape for cooking oil for us to use, and for bio-fuel and mulch to feed to our own cows. He is passionate about making the farms a central and irreplaceable part of the university and I am keen that he and I grow our businesses together in a strong partnership."

Mr Williams, an FUW member, said: "What's better in this day and age than to feed students with food that comes from the University's own farms, rather than sending their produce away while buying in food from god knows where? "Their approach stands in contrast to that adopted by others. For example, I am very unhappy that many unitary authorities are quite willing to take community charges from us and put the business rates up every year, and yet not give local businesses a proper chance to cater for local needs with local produce.

"Aberystwyth University has shown that it does not take very much imagination for an institution to work around these problems and set up a sustainable supply chain that benefits everyone."

FUW president Gareth Vaughan said: "Our 'Buy the Welsh One' campaign is not just about consumers choosing to buy Welsh - it is about everyone doing the right thing - consumers, pubs, restaurants, schools and universities, right up to government departments and Local Health Authorities.

"By asking for the Welsh One you are ensuring that you get top quality produce while acting responsibly towards your own environment and economy.

"Last week I accompanied Dr Ian Reynolds, Chairman of the Meat Hygiene Service and vice chairman of the Food Standards Agency, on a visit to Mr Williams' abattoir in Machynlleth and the next day I was sitting next to scores of diners eating top quality Welsh Black beef that had been reared just a stone's throw from our Aberystwyth headquarters.

"It, too, had been slaughtered in Mr Williams' abattoir just up the road and was being served in a canteen that caters for staff from the FUW, the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, the Countryside Council for Wales, and the Welsh Assembly Government.

"Now that is a prime example of 'buying the Welsh One', and I am delighted that FUW members and staff are so closely involved in this initiative.

"The policies being instigated by the University put many bodies across Wales to shame, and should act as a beacon for all those businesses and public sector bodies who genuinely wish to provide quality produce while helping to protect Wales' environment and economy."

NOTE TO EDITORS: Mr Downing and Welsh speakers Mr Vaughan and Mr McConnochie will be available for interview after the press conference which starts at 11.00am. Samples of the "Shopper's Survival Kit" will also be available to the media.

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