Senedd Cymru	Welsh Parliament
Pwyllgor yr Economi, Masnach a Materion Gwledig	Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee
Bil Bwyd (Cymru)	Food (Wales) Bill
FWB-15
Ymateb gan: Bwyd Sir Gâr Food	Evidence from: Bwyd Sir Gâr Food

1. The Food (Wales) Bill, if adopted, would provide an imperative for closer working, coherence and strengthened local approaches. It would also provide opportunities for shared learning across Wales, with effective oversight and governance from an independent food commission to drive optimal outcomes related to food in all parts of the country.

2. Food plays an influential role in shaping health and wellbeing, the local economy, social and cultural life, biodiversity and the climate, as wellas long-term food security. Yet, at a local, regional and national level strategies and policies that influence the food system are often developed in silos, lacking the necessary coordination to create a coherent vision, and sometimes working at odds.  A coherent and wholistic approach to food is needed if we are to meet the multiple and interrelated challenges of our times.

3. At a national level, a coherent framework could unlock effective progression towards a healthy, sustainable and resilient food system fit for the 21^st century that spans across policy and strategy in relation to public health, environment, education, agriculture and energy. In Scotland, the  Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act, 2022 is providing a national framework for such progress.

4. A statutory framework for co-produced local food strategies would validate the work of existing local food partnerships across Wales. Effectively defined primary and secondary food goals would increase focus, aligning with Wellbeing Objectives as defined by the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (2015). Local food partnerships can bring together Public Services Boards and grassroots food networks to co-produce local solutions for better local food systems.

5. With diverse multi-stakeholder engagement at a local and regional level, there is scope for the development of a ‘whole system approach’ to address the complex and interrelated issues within a local food system. This approach requires close coordination within and between local food partnerships, sharing learning and exploring areas for collaboration both regionally and nationally. A coordinating framework would ensure consistency at a local, regional and national level.

6. Bwyd Sir Gâr Food is a local food partnership formulated to deliver the Sustainable Food Places framework in Carmarthenshire. It brings a wide range of stakeholders including the Carmarthenshire Food Network, Carmarthenshire County Council, Hywel Dda University Health Board(UHB) (Department of Nutrition and Dietetics), Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS), Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and University of Wales Trinity St Davids (UWTSD). The partnership offers the forum needed to shape a range of collaborative and co-produced interventions related to food, for effective delivery against objectives identified in local strategies. This includes the Local Authorities Cabinet Vision Statement (2022-27), draft Carmarthenshire Wellbeing Plan (2023-28),  Hywel Dda UHB identified priorities and objectives in the delivery of ‘A Healthier Mid and West Wales’ strategy (2022-25), and NRW’s South West Area Statement. By taking a cross-sector approach, the partnership has been able to foster closer links within the Public Services Board towards the development of a coherent Local Food Plan across Carmarthenshire’s public sector services.

7. In Carmarthenshire we have developed a strong grassroots network across the food system representing local producers, community growers, chefs, community food projects, food poverty alleviation services, as well as wider community support organisations. The Network works dynamically towards a more connected co-produced local food system. This feeds into and helps shape the strategic direction of Bwyd Sir Gâr Food, ensuring developments are aligned with the unique population characteristics and conditions of the county.

8. Current projects include short-supply chains to the public plate through the Sustainable Procurement Hubs pilot delivered by Social Farms & Gardens in collaboration with Carmarthenshire County Council. Bwyd Sir Gâr Food is working closely with Carmarthenshire Food Network on a diverse range of food initiatives, and involving a wide range of actors across the food system. This includes working with community food providers to embed Nutrition Skills for Life in their operations, and a wide range of projects that involve the community in growing, cooking and meal sharing with the aim of reducing the inequality of access to nutrient dense, agroecologically produced local food.

9. In terms of barriers to implementation, unintended consequences, and the financial implications of carrying forward the Bill, Bwyd Sir Gâr Food is confident that local food partnerships, within a statutory coordinating framework, can offer value for money. Carmarthenshire is taking forward actions proposed by the Bill already. However, a Food Commission and defined Food Goals would sharpen focus, even out delivery across regions, as well as providing more opportunities for collaboration and shared learning.