Posted on: Tuesday 25 March 2025
Businesses and community groups gathered on Friday to celebrate Torfaen’s UK Sustainable Food Places silver award.
The borough was presented with the award last year for its work in increasing the availability of locally produced, locally sourced food and promoting sustainable and healthy diets.
More than 60 attendees ranging from food producers, suppliers, community growing projects, third sector organisations and schools joined the council’s food resilience team to discuss what has worked and future initiatives.
The event at Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall included award presentations, a networking lunch and cocreating the next steps we take.
Coffi Kitoko, Forgeside RFC Community Garden, Zero Waste Torfaen, Welsh General Store, Himalayan Bites and Hope for the Community Food Pantry were showcased on the day as examples of how the partnership and its’ funding is helping change lives.
Councillor Sue Morgan, Executive Member for Waste and Sustainability, said: “Over the past couple of years, we’ve developed an innovative Torfaen Sustainable Food Partnership involving public sector organisations, businesses, community groups, charities, social enterprises and schools which has been crucial to developing new networks and markets for locally grown, locally produced, cost effective, healthy food.
“I look forward to seeing how the partnership develops and works towards achieving UK Sustainable Food Places gold status.”
The Torfaen Sustainable Food Partnership has been supported by the council’s Torfaen Food Resilience Programme, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Welsh Government.
Over the past three years, the programme has provided grants to help businesses develop diversify and to help third sector organisations develop sustainable solutions to food poverty.
For more information, visit Food Resilience Programme or contact Food4Growth@torfaen.gov.uk
The Sustainable Food Places programme is a partnership between the Soil Association, Food Matters and Sustain. It is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the National Lottery Community Fund and supports places to transform food culture.