Why is food important?
Food delivers multiple health benefits because of its significance to health and wellbeing. It should play a key part in the foundational economy that delivers essential services and also plays a vital role in mitigating climate change.
Yet, amidst a cost-of-living crisis, high food prices mean one in five people in Wales right now are hungry. This exacerbates both malnutrition and obesity, through the widespread consumption of ultra-processed food. While many can’t afford to buy food, a large number of households can only afford the cheapest, most highly-processed meals, which are high in calories and low in nutrients.
Despite a more recent slowdown in the rate of food inflation, research shows that food prices have risen significantly over the past two years:vegetable prices have risen 19% since May-July2021 and meat prices are up 24%. Dairy products have seen the highest rises, including milk (36%),cheese (35%) and butters and spreads (32%).This report brings together the latest scientific research, insights from the food production and supply chain community in North Wales and learning from our work in the community.
That knowledge is coalesced into the work of our food team, focusing on taste, accessibility and nutrition, with a proven track record in delivering meals that are fresh, tasty and affordable. We are the first food company in the UK to remove ultra-processed food from our menus and have created a model to move away from this pattern of poor health, protecting school children and supporting their families.
