The Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA) is pleased to invite you to a coffee shop debate. The aim is to engage more people into the IWA by introducing them to events that cover broad subjects that they may not necessarily associate with IWA. This event is FREE to attend but spaces are limited.

Food Co-operatives with Richard Reast

Richard Reast is a Food Development Worker with Rural Regeneration Unit. He works with people from all backgrounds to establish their own food co-ops and create a degree of control over food supply. Richard has opened over fifty food co-ops, in addition he has worked with his local community of Pontypridd to create seasonal events under the banner of “The Little Welsh Nibble” which include an annual sustainable food festival, planting an apple orchard at a local primary school and running a weekly farmers market. He is an active member of Friends of the Earth, which informs his work.

The way we produce, distribute and consume food has a massive impact on the planet and counts for around 20% of total carbon emissions. We have evolved a food production system, which is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, intensive methods, big business and resultant high levels of waste. There are many communities across Wales with poor access to fresh fruit and vegetables either through proximity or price and there are many smaller scale producers who struggle to find a market for their produce.

The Community Food Co-operative programme managed by the Rural Regeneration Unit has developed a way of distributing and selling fresh produce which attempts to solve some of these problems and help create a more sustainable food system for the future. Everyone has the right to access affordable healthy food. The system is simple and can be used by virtually any group of people in any community from Primary school to groups of older age or disabled people. There are now over 350 food co-ops all over Wales run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis, come along to find out more! This will be an engaging and practical session.