Anglesey council told to source from local farmers more

Welsh farmers have stressed the importance of sourcing local food in a meeting with Anglesey County Council following concerns over procurement policies for school meals.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) met with the council this week to discuss how the county can better serve schoolchildren’s nutritional needs, whilst honouring its pledge to buying local.

The union had raised concerns about the procurement policies for school meals with the council in October last year, following their agreement with catering supplier Chartwells to supply school meals.

The FUW said it was 'encouraging' that Chartwells had committed to source 30% of the total produce locally and from within a 60-mile radius.

Speaking after the meeting, FUW Anglesey county executive officer, Alaw Jones said: "Our farmers produce outstanding food here on Anglesey and across Wales.

"Our food is produced to world leading animal health and welfare standards, is sustainably produced and with the environment in mind. Our children deserve to benefit from that.”