Building a sustainable food system for the Vale

Food Vale is a partnership of individuals, community groups, organisations and businesses working together to build a thriving, healthy and sustainable food system in the Vale of Glamorgan.

They have a Food Charter and have set the following priorities:

• A good meal for everyone, everyday
• Thriving local food businesses which are supported and valued
• Think global, eat local

Food Vale have recently been recognised for their work in a report published by Sustain called Every Mouthful Counts. The Vale of Glamorgan has scored in the highest cluster in the UK, only 21 councils out of nearly 200 analysed were recognised as leaders.

As part of the report, Big Fresh Catering has been highlighted as an example of best practise with the report stating, “Big wins: owning their own trading company and re-investing profits into local schools.”

In its first year of trading, Big Fresh re-invested more than £500,000 back into local schools. This was used to support a variety of activities including breakfast and homework clubs, teaching pupils about health and well-being and supporting sports teams. 

This year has seen the investment continue with all its schools receiving a £5,000 grant. Procurement has also been highlighted in the report, with Big Fresh taking steps to procure more food locally, reducing our food miles, emissions and food waste.

Food Vale was also the second place in Wales to be awarded the Sustainable Food Places Bronze Award in June 2022, in recognition of the work across the county in promoting healthy and sustainable food.

The Vale of Glamorgan also has one of the highest food waste recycling rates in Wales. 

Tom Bowring, Director of Corporate Resources, said, "We want to support and advocate for local food systems (helping residents to understand the impact of food choices on the environment). We’re committed to working in partnership as part of Food Vale to change our ways of working and influence behaviour change."

Food makes up over a third of UK greenhouse gas emissions. The effects of climate change are already being felt through food price rises and farmers’ incomes, which is contributing to the cost of living crisis.