New campaign encourages people to buy more local produce to help the city’s economy
A NEW campaign to encourage people to buy more local produce has been launched to help Cardiff achieve Gold Sustainable Food Places status.
Food Cardiff is a city-wide partnership made up of more than 200 individuals and organisations. It was established in 2014 as one of the founding Sustainable Food Places in the UK.
In 2021, Cardiff achieved Silver Sustainable Food Places status, becoming the first place in Wales and one of only six places in the UK to achieve title. But now the city wants to achieve gold status by 2024.
Cambridge, Middlesbrough; the Greater London Authority; Bristol and Brighton & Hove also received the silver award.
“Food Cardiff believes that the food we eat has a huge impact on life in Cardiff – not just on people’s health, but on communities and businesses, farmers and food producers, and the environment too.
“Good food creates strong, healthy, resilient communities which thrive,” said Pearl Costello, Food Cardiff’s Sustainable Food Places coordinator.
“We are so excited to launch this campaign to give every single person – and organisation – in Cardiff a chance to make a pledge and help Cardiff to become one of the most sustainable cities in the UK.”
Riverside Farmers’ Market brings more local produce on to Cardiff’s food scene. It was founded by Steve Garret 23 years ago, and has since expanded with markets in Rhiwbana, Roath and Riverside.
“All of the products will be produced in Wales. It’s making it possible for these brilliant producers to make a living and means that the customer is receiving fresh food that is at its best.”
Eve Dzilna, 34, grows food from scratch at her allotment in Birchgrove.
“A lot of what I do and how I do it is to ensure I’m not disturbing the ecosystem, but contributing and enriching it. And in the summer months, I don’t even need to go to the greengrocers.
“I think it’s great that Food Cardiff is encouraging people to think about sustainable food habits. They encourage using more leftovers to reduce food waste, cooking from scratch, buying local and having less takeaways.
“I think sustainable food goes hand in hand with healthy and tasty meals, so even for those who are indifferent to environmental impact, sustainable food can mean a healthier lifestyle overall.”
