Celebrating Welsh food and drink

14 @specialityfood SUPPORT ASupportive Ecosystem The comprehensive suite of support services provided by the Welsh Government to food and drink producers has been transformative T he world of producing food and drink can be a minefield; with all manner of hurdles to overcome, fromfinancial challenges to staffing and training, supply chain issues, the constant demand for innovation and sustainability credentials to uphold, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to growing a successful business. The Welsh Government recognises this and is proactively working alongside businesses to help themsucceed and scale – and the level of success the food and drink industry inWales has achieved since its support networkwas established is impressive to say the least. Since launching its Strategic Vision, which incorporated this support network, in 2021, the growth of the industry – thanks in part to the support detailed below. 240 businesses have benefited from the nationwide support, saving hundreds of livelihoods, and this figure is rising steadily. For more insight into the scale of theWelsh food and drink industry, see page 4. This connection between food and drink businesses and those who can offer the intelligence, inspiration and practical insights needed to sustain themhas been a game-changer for the sector, and its positive outcomes are sure to inspire a blueprint for future generations. Read on for details of some of the support packages that are available. The HELIX Programme The HELIX Programme provides a strategic backbone of technical support and newproduct development withinWelsh businesses. The HELIX Programme brings together four centres of excellence in North, Mid and SouthWales are dedicated to encouraging the development of the food sector and providing technical and operational support on all aspects of food manufacturing. THIS CONNECTION BETWEEN FOOD AND DRINK BUSINESSES AND THOSE WHO CAN OFFER THE INTELLIGENCE, INSPIRATION AND PRACTICAL INSIGHTS NEEDED TO SUSTAIN THEM HAS BEEN A GAME-CHANGER FOR THE SECTOR, AND ITS POSITIVE OUTCOMES ARE SURE TO INSPIRE A BLUEPRINT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS