Food festivals get £184,000 to promote local produce

The minister says food festivals help the rural economy

More than £184,000 has been set aside to help food festivals promote home-grown produce this year.

A total of 28 festivals have received money from the Welsh government to "raise the profile of the high quality food and drink" made in Wales.

Natural Resources and Food Minister Alun Davies said the events helped food producers increase customer numbers and strengthen their business.

An action plan aims to help the sector increase turnover by 30% by 2020.

"High quality, distinctive food is a central part of our culture here in Wales," said Mr Davies.

"And I am determined to help develop this culture to help our food and drinks industry thrive.

"Food festivals also attract thousands of people into the hearts of our towns and villages, providing a welcome boost to local businesses and the rural economy."

Festivals set to benefit from funding include:

• Abergavenny Christmas Food & Drink Fair

• Abergavenny Food Festival

• Big Welsh Bite, Rhondda Heritage Park

• Brecon Beacons Food Festival

• Broneirion Food Fair, Llandinam

• Caerphilly Food Festival

• Cardiff International Food & Drink Festival

• Cardigan Bay Seafood Festival, Aberaeron

• Cardigan River & Food Festival, Cardigan

• Feastival, Bridgend town centre

• Gorseinon-Swansea Food Festival

• Gwledd Conwy Feast

• Gwyl Fwyd a Chrefft Portmeirion

• Gwyl Fwyd Castell Newydd Emlyn, Newcastle Emlyn

• Hay Summer Food Festival

• Hay Winter Food Festival

• Lampeter Food Festival, Trinity St Davids, Lampeter

• Llangollen Food Festival

• Mold Food Festival

• Mumbles Oyster Festival

• Narberth Food Festival

• Neath Food & Drink Festival

• Newport Food Festival

• Newtown Food & Drink Festival

• St Fagans Food Festival

• The Anglesey Oyster & Welsh Produce Festival

• Welsh Perry & Cider Festival & Championships, Monmouth

• Wrexham Food Festival

Since January, sea salt from Anglesey has been able to class itself in the same league as Parma Ham and Champagne after it was granted protected status by the European Commission.

It is for foods which are produced, processed and prepared in a specific region using recognised expertise.

Pembrokeshire Potatoes won the status in October, while the growers of Denbigh plums, have also applied for recognition.