Welsh fruit & veg suppliers and growers have been given a boost after Swansea Council struck a deal to buy its fruit and vegetables in Wales
The local authority has joined 13 Councils across the principality to award its fresh produce contracts to local suppliers and local growers where possible.
It’s part of Swansea Council’s efforts to boost the local economy and jobs by investing its multi-million budget as close to home as possible. It also aims to ensure quality, traceability and value for money.
Cllr Rob Stewart, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, said: “As a local authority we are spending in excess of £75 million on goods, services, and materials in Swansea and a further £58 million in the rest of Wales.
“This latest deal again represents value for money, good news for suppliers and growers here and an economic boost to the whole area.”
The new Welsh Purchasing Consortium deal on fruit and vegetables will see Swanseainvesting £400,000 in fresh produce annually sourced locally, wherever possible.
It follows a deal which sees Swansea Council spend £300,000 a year on locally-sourced milk.
These are used by Swansea Council’s meals service in schools, civic sites, activity centres and social services venues like care homes.
Simon Griffiths, the Council’s Procurement Team Manager, said: “Swansea Council is a multi-million pound a year business. We want to make sure that every penny we spend meets the needs of our citizens, local businesses, visitors and the community as a whole.
“As well as deals like this we are also working to make it more straightforward for local businesses to bid for other contracts either by themselves or by linking up with major national companies.”
Cllr Sybil Ctouch, Cabinet Member for Sustainability, said: “This is good news for sustainability as money spent locally stays local. Supporting local farmers and growers shortens supply chains while giving reassurance on both quality and food security.”
