“We are excited to be growing veg for schools because it’s important that children have nutritious food and know where it comes from. Healthy food, healthy children, healthy Wales.”
— Geraint Evans, Welsh Grower
Introduction
The Welsh Veg in Schools initiative is a pioneering project that aims to increase the production and consumption of organic Welsh-grown vegetables by supplying them directly to primary schools. By aligning local food production with public sector procurement, the initiative offers a powerful example of how sustainable food systems can support health, education, and the environment, while strengthening local economies.
Launched with support from the Backing Local Firms Fund, the project brings together farmers, distributors, policymakers, and educators to deliver fresh, organic produce to school meals across Wales creating meaningful connections between children and the food they eat.
Background and vision
At the start of this project, an overwhelming 94% of vegetables used in primary schools in Wales were sourced from outside the country, often frozen and non-organic. The Welsh Veg in Schools project set out to change that by:
- Increasing local organic vegetable production.
- Creating new markets for Welsh growers.
- Promoting sustainable agriculture and biodiversity.
- Supporting children’s health and food education.
The project is coordinated by Food Sense Wales, in collaboration with Castell Howell (Wales’ largest food distributor) and Farming Connect Horticulture, run by Lantra. These partners are part of a wider network of growers and stakeholders working to create a fairer, more resilient food system in Wales.
Growth and progress
What began three years ago with just one grower has now grown into a vibrant, multi-stakeholder project. By 2024:
- 8 growers were actively supplying schools.
- 14 tonnes of organic Welsh veg were used in school meals.
- The project reached 219 schools across 6 local authority areas – Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Monmouthshire, Powys, Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan.
- 400 children visited four farms enabling them to connect directly with the land and the farmers growing their food.
By 2025, the initiative has scaled to:
- 15 local growers participating.
- 12 local authorities engaged.
- 3 wholesale partners distributing produce across school catering networks.
This expansion means that approximately 1 million portions of local, organic veg will be served to school children in Wales.
Challenges and lessons learned
2023 presented significant challenges:
- Delays with funding disrupted planning cycles, misaligning crop production with school meal requirements.
- Adverse weather led to reduced yields, impacting supply.
However, these challenges led to valuable learning:
- Earlier coordination with local authorities began in late 2023, allowing better crop planning.
- More growers were brought on board to build resilience and reduce risk.
- Castell Howell’s existing supply chains absorbed surplus produce, avoiding waste.
The Backing Local Firms Fund played a critical role in allowing experimentation, system development, and the formation of new networks. It also opened doors to collaborate with other food projects across Wales.
Impact and looking ahead
The project has proven that a local, organic supply chain for school food is not only possible but desirable. Interest has grown across Wales and beyond, with stakeholders from across the UK contacting the team to learn how to replicate the model in their own regions.
Key highlights to date include:
- A shift from imported to local organic veg in school meals.
- Creation of alternative income streams for Welsh growers.
- Hands-on learning experiences for children, connecting food, farming, and health.
- The establishment of a new North Wales growers’ group, expanding the reach of the project across the country.
In April 2025, Food Sense Wales published a series of reports noting the project’s achievements. You can read the various reports by clicking on the relevant links below:
Welsh Veg in Schools: Summary Report
Welsh Veg in Schools: Full Report
The Story of Welsh Veg in Schools
Looking to the future, Food Sense Wales is actively exploring new funding opportunities to grow the project further. The ambition is clear: to bring more Welsh-grown organic produce into more Welsh schools, involving more local authorities, more growers, and more children in the journey toward a sustainable, healthy food system.
Conclusion
The Welsh Veg in Schools project exemplifies how public procurement can drive meaningful change, from farm to fork. It strengthens local economies, supports sustainable farming, and helps young people understand and appreciate where their food comes from. Thanks to the support of the Backing Local Firms Fund, the foundation is set for long-term, scalable success across Wales and beyond.
