7/8/08

New trade directory helps put organic food on the tourist menu

A new edition of the Welsh Organic Trade Directory is now available from Organic Centre Wales. Produced as part of the EU Rafael project, which promoted authentic food links in the Atlantic area, it lists suppliers of fresh and processed organic food in Wales for the catering sector.

‘The Welsh organic food market is growing strongly in terms of production, processing and marketing, so now is an ideal time for hotels, restaurants, schools and hospitals to be thinking of including organic food in their menus,’ said editor David Frost of ADAS Wales, a partner in Organic Centre Wales. ‘Tourism and organic food are both growth sectors – so the development of organic food-based tourism will benefit organic food marketing, Welsh tourism, and the Welsh economy generally.’

Over 50 companies are represented in the guide, under various categories from beverages to baked goods, and from fruit and vegetables to ready meals and food ingredients. They are also classified by their supply capability, whether to independent retailers, the foodservice industry or for export.

‘Organic products are already sought after by caterers who realize the public enthusiasm for food that is produced according to strict environmental and animal welfare standards, and often has a local story to tell too,’ said David Frost. ‘A good recent example is Pembrokeshire organic dairy specialist Trioni’s UHT Organic Skimmed milk which is used by Eurostar on their breakfast menu, by Monarch Airlines and on cruise liners where it’s supplied by Carnival Cruises.’

The Directory is also aimed at public sector catering services and includes a DVD on ‘Sustainable procurement – why organic matters’ which includes interviews with Welsh farmers and growers who talk about their produce.

The Directory can be downloaded at www.organic.aber.ac.uk/tradedirectory, or hard copies may be ordered from Organic Centre Wales on 01970 622248.

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Further information

David Frost, ADAS Wales 01974 272567 david.frost@adas.co.uk 

Notes for the editor:

1. Organic Centre Wales (www.organic.aber.ac.uk) was established in 2000 and is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and operated by a partnership consisting of ADAS, the Organic Research Centre Elm Farm and the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University.

2. The Rafael project was an EU Interreg project promoting authentic food systems. For more information see www.rafael-eu.com. 

3. Wales has a significant lead over other parts of the United Kingdom in terms of organic production. Wales’ organic land area increased by 22% during the year ending January 2008, reaching 6.4% of the total agricultural area, according to statistics released on 3 July by Defra.

4. The 2008 edition of Where to Buy Local and Organic, a consumer guide to producers and small retailers selling organic food in Wales, will be available from Organic Centre Wales in September: see the website or call 01970 622248.

5. Where to Stay and Where to Eat, an interactive website of tourism providers in Wales which specialize in organic produce, can be found at www.organiccentrewales.org. 

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