Food Systems Development Project

Having taken over the running of Bremenda Isaf, a 100-acre council farm in Llanarthne, the project team is trialling new ways of getting local vegetables onto the plates of the county’s primary schools and care homes.

Using climate and nature-friendly farming practices, the team is growing a host of different vegetables that will make their way into school and care home meals, ensuring that the county’s youngest and eldest residents are all benefiting from locally grown, high quality, fresh produce.  The veg is in the ground now and should be ready to make its way onto the plates this autumn.  Crops range from cucumbers to carrots and from brussels sprouts to pumpkins.

The farm is also growing grains as it explores a return to an older, mixed way of farming that’s in tune with nature and takes into consideration the farm’s heritage and the area’s food culture. This has been looked at in more detail as part of a heritage project that’s been encouraging local people to think about the farm, the produce and the land, asking participants to respond to how that makes them feel through art, poetry and song.

As well as trialling this innovative approach at Bremenda Isaf, the project is also working with the dietetic team at Hywel Dda University Health Board to develop people’s cooking and nutrition skills, whilst partnering with the Carmarthenshire Food Network to further community connections through food in all corners of the county too.

The project has also funded the development of this website to help raise awareness of the work of Bwyd Sir Gar Food and to get as many people from Carmarthenshire involved in building a better food future for all of us.

We’ll be updating the website regularly with news about new initiatives and events, and telling you more about the work happening at Bremenda Isaf Farm.

Learn more about the farm here.

And sign up to hear more from Bwyd Sir Gâr Food here.

A more in-depth look at the Food Systems Development Project

The Food Systems Development Project aims to develop the local food economy; contribute to nature recovery and climate resilience and promote health and wellbeing.

Building on the work being done by Bwyd Sir Gâr Food, the Food System Development Project aims to improve the local food system for current and future generations. It is also enabling Bwyd Sir Gâr Food to employ additional staff and continue essential roles, providing a strong foundation for partnership.

The three aspects of the project include:

1. Strategic Land Management for Public Goods – Bremenda Isaf Farm

This aspect of the project will establish infrastructure, equipment, and a skilled workforce as it develops a model market to field-scale sustainable fruit and vegetable production site at Bremenda Isaf Farm in Llanarthne. This pilot involves the farmhouse, outbuildings, and approximately 100 acres of land, with the intention of leasing the entire property to a suitable tenant for ongoing management.  It will also be the first project in Wales to operate a multi-sector delivery supply chain and partnerships approach that considers the way the site is used for community health, wellbeing and wealth building.

2. Connected Communities and Community Access to Healthy Food

Working through the Carmarthenshire Food Network in collaboration with Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS), Social Farms & Gardens, and Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Community Health Improvement team, the Community Connections strand of the project will Grow Carmarthenshire Food Network (CFN), develop training and skills and grow community connections

3. Communications: Building a ‘Good Food Movement’:

The third strand will raise awareness of the work of Bwyd Sir Gâr Food while simultaneously building a ‘good food movement’ in Carmarthenshire, increasing public awareness of food issues and encouraging participation in food-related activities, creating a county of active food citizens.

Why do this?

Food is a catalyst for community health, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. The Food Systems Development Project brings together a range of different organisations to address current challenges in Carmarthenshire. With the support of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, this initiative is set to build on past achievements, developing skills, increasing sustainable food production, and encouraging people to become active food citizens across the county.

The project is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda, and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, click here.