Posted on: Tuesday 31 May 2022
A programme offering rural food producers £10,000 to diversify and create new sustainable food networks is paying tasty dividends.
Three businesses in Torfaen have been awarded Food4Growth grants, including Cream of the Crop, based in Cwmbran.
Owners Alun and Verity Cadwallader have run the fruit and veg delivery service since April 2020 and applied for a grant to create a new project supporting families receiving Healthy Start NHS payments and promote their business.
Alun said: "We were delighted to be awarded this grant, which will help make a huge difference to our family business.
"We have been able to increase our promotional activity so that more families and businesses in Torfaen are aware of us and our fresh produce.
"Additionally, thanks to this grant we have been able to create a new project to help families accessing Healthy Start payments to double the amount of money they can spend with us. Hopefully this will help many families in Torfaen during the current cost of living crisis."
James Morris, from Ty Poeth Farm, in New Inn, has also diversifying his business thanks to the Torfaen Council initiative, funded by the UK Government's Community Renewal Fund.
The money has paid for James to create pick-your own events, including pumpkins and strawberries, a sunflower maze and a poly tunnel to grow local vegetables.
And Joe and Jennie Tunley, from Blaen Y Cwm Farm, in Cwmbran, have used the funding to develop Twmbarlwm Elderflower Wine, a new business venture growing and making the wine on the farm.
There are now six more £10,000 rural business grants on offer.
Applications for the new grants must be received by Friday 10 June. For an application pack or more information, please contact Nikki Williams, Rural Development Manager on 01495 742147 or email nikki.williams@torfaen.gov.uk