Gwynedd Food Charter

Sustainable Gwynedd Gynaladwy Cyf

Rhif y Cwmni: 5535254

Siarter Bwyd i Wynedd A Food Charter for Gwynedd

Cyfres o gyfarfodydd i bawb sy’n tyfu, dosbarthu, gwerthu a defnyddio bwyd yn y sir, a sydd eisiau gweld mwy o fwyd, fres ar gael yn lleol. Dewch i roi eich syniadau ar gyfer y Siarter, a thrafod sut i droi geiriau i weithredu.

A series of meetings for everyone who grows, distributes, sells and uses food in the county, and who wants to see more local fresh food available. Come and put forward your ideas, and discuss how to put words into action.

Eglwys Sant Mair/St Mary’s Tremadog Nos Iau/Thursday Ionawr 12 January Ionawr 26 January Chwefror 9 February 6.30 – 8.30

Manylion/Details: Cynthia Hughes, 01766 543033 – [email protected]

Trefnwyd gan / Arranged by Arianwyd a chefnogwyd gan/Funded and supported by

121213 Gwynedd Food Charter.docx Page 2 of 5 Introduction It was agreed to develop a Gwynedd Food Charter, which would include input from the following stakeholders :- Growers, Producers, Community food Projects, Statutory Authorities (Council and Health Board), Farmers, Hotels, Wholesalers, shops, and the tourism sector.

Notices were placed in local papers and community papers advertising a series of meetings which would be set up to explore the needs of the county as regards to growing and supplying fresh, local and where possible organic food. By establishing a food charter, food related projects and could be created and it would encourage everyone to work together towards a sustainable food system in Gwynedd, reducing work already done being duplicated, and supporting the production and distribution of local organic food.

Consultation At the first meeting held on the 12th January, 23 people attended. At the second meeting on the 26th January, 15 people attended, many who had been unable to attend the first one. At the third meeting on the 9th February, when Steve Garrett gave a presentation, 15 attended. Several attended all the meetings, but many could not be present for all three. A good representation of all the organisations were present at all the meetings, and several contributed by e-mail. The travelling would have presented problems for quite a few, as the county of Gwynedd covers a vast area. It was suggested at the third meeting that the launch take place in the Urdd Eisteddfod in Glynllifon, near Caernarfon.

First meeting: Cllr Alwyn Griffith, Frances Voelcker, June Jones, Dr Eifiona Th Lane, Margaret Smyth, Paul Aslin

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First meeting: Hazel & StephenJones, Aerona, Mirain Gwyn, Annog, Sioned Jones Cyngor Gwynedd, June Jones, Food Co-ops

Second Meeting: Mo Ainscough, Dolgellau Farmers Market, Paul Ellis & Coryn Bye(Moel y Ci), Richard Burton Big Rock Cafe, Helen Lewis,Friends of the Earth, David Shaw, Sarvari Trust.

At the second meeting, it was suggested that a member of the Plymouth Food Charter be invited to the next meeting, to learn first hand the difference their Charter made to Plymouth. If this was not possible, Ben suggested that we ask Steve Garrett from the Riverside Market, Cardiff, who was also in the process of developing the Cardiff Food Charter.

Based on discussions from both meetings, Ben drafted a Charter, which would be disussed at the third and final meeting.

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Third Meeting - Steve Garrett

At the third meeting in February, Steve gave a presentation covering all the work the Cardiff Food Charter to date. After a lively discussion, several points were noted, and the draft Charter was changed slightly. This was circulated to all concerned, and approved. On Monday the 23rd April, before the Election, a Hustings Session was led by Ben. Alwyn Gruffydd, Llais Gwynedd, Bronwen Naish,Conservatives, Stephen Churchman, Lib Dems and June Jones, Plaid Cymru were questioned on various food related matters.

Launch The Charter was launched during a ceremony held at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Glynllifon, Caernarfon on the 6th June. Ben Gregory explained the purpose of the Charter and how it was developed. Speeches of support for the Charter were given by Councillor Selwyn Griffiths, Chairman of Gwynedd Council, Aled Hughes from Public Health Wales, and Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, AM, former Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales, who is now currently Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, and Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson on Rural Affairs, Fisheries and Food. Dafydd Owen of Organic Centre Wales also attended.

Sustainable Gwynedd will continue to work on the Charter, and arrangements are in hand for discussions between Aled Hughes and a Cerys Humphreys, who is newly appointed by Gwynedd Council as Food and Nutrition Manager.

Acknowledgements BOBL, Organic Centre Wales and the Soil Association’s contribution towards this very important work is greatly appreciated. The Gwynedd Food Charter’s work will continue to encourage cross collaboration between all members of the community.

Cynthia Hughes Sustainable Gwynedd Gynaladwy Cyf Ganolfan Fenter Market Place Penrhyndeudraeth Gwynedd LL48 6LP [email protected] www.gwyneddgynaladwy.org.uk

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