Where to buy organic food in Wales

A new guide to organic food in Wales has been produced by Organic Centre Wales with sponsorship from Rachel’s Organic. It lists over 120 outlets in Wales, including farms which sell direct to the public, farmers’ markets and shops, and is the perfect way to find organic produce for the festive season. "Christmas is the time of year when we value the quality of our food most of all,” said Carolyn Wacher of Organic Centre Wales, who compiled the guide. “Buying local and organic really does mean that we cut down on food miles and support the farmers and the rural economy”. ‘Local Organic: where to buy fresh, local organic food and drink in Wales 2008-2009’ is available free of charge from Organic Centre Wales or can be downloaded here: http://www.organic.aber.ac.uk/organics/organiglleol08.pdf
 

Respondents to the recent Welsh Organic Producer Survey in autumn 2007 indicated that 37% of those producers selling direct to the public were experiencing strong sales. Responses from fourteen producers operating box schemes indicated that many were also seeing strong demand for their organic produce. The latest data from Defra and WAG show that organic farming has continued to grow fast in Wales. In 2007, the number of certified organic and in-conversion holdings and area grew by 21% compared to 2006, to 857 holdings on 96,000 ha, or 6.4% of Welsh agricultural land.
 

Organic Centre Wales is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government to provide information on organic food and farming to producers, food businesses, consumers and others. It is based at Aberystwyth University and run by a partnership consisting of ADAS Wales, the Organic Research Centre Elm Farm, and the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University.

http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/