Abergavenny Food Conference - a talk by Iain Cox with Debbie Handley of the RRU Community Food Co-ops

We were delighted to deliver a talk at the Abergavenny Food Conference last month alongside some inspirational speakers covering a broad range of topics about innovation in local food.

Hosted by Miller Research and now in it's 8th year the Conference is an integral part of the the annual, award winning, Abergavenny Food Festival.

Click here to watch us on YouTube.

Here's the blurb:

How doing business sustainably helps small food enterprises gain commercial advantage

Many food enterprises play a positive role in local communities and the environment. All too often however these efforts go unnoticed and growth opportunities are missed.

This talk draws on Ecostudio's work supporting small businesses to demonstrate their contribution to sustainable development.

It includes a working example of the RRU Community Food Co-ops 10 point sustainability plan.

Sustainably speaking at the UK Business Council for Sustainable Development and Cynnal Cymru

It’s not every day we’re invited to share the floor with representatives Coca Cola, Arriva Trains Wales and the Energy Savings Trust.

Yesterday’s Wales launch of the UKBCSD initiative is about encouraging a shift towards more sustainable behaviour in business, and the Sustainable Development Charter, seems to us like a fantastic opportunity to exchange knowledge with industry from across all sectors.

Our (soon to be launched) self assessment toolkit for food businesses to identify,improve and communicate their sustainability credentials demonstrates how Ecostudio can support the UKBCSD and Cynnal Cymru in enabling sustainable behaviour in business.

With flooding, snow and high winds disrupting travel links and perhaps serving as a (not so) gentle reminder of the role the climate has in our lives. Delegates that braved the elements to get to Cardiff learned about a variety of ways that large organisations and SMEs are winning new business through taking environmentally and people friendly approaches. 

Ways to save energy through using less water, improving safety and increasing customer satisfaction through better signage, using new (plant based) materials that prevent packaging waste and increase brand value were just some of the practical business activities described by an excellent and diverse group of speakers.

Drawing on Ecostudio work and using practical examples. Iain Cox explained the importance of developing sustainable approaches to business, the market drivers and challenges facing micro and SMEs, particularly those in the Welsh food sector.

More about the event including the presentations can be viewed here.

Free sustainable business coaching for Welsh food companies!

Ecostudio are offering an opportunity for up to 6 food companies to receive up to 2 half-day sustainable business coaching sessions. We're providing this free of charge subject to eligibility.

There are numerous benefits that food companies can gain from doing this. For example, food businesses that demonstrate good practices can take advantage of new opportunities in areas such as supplying the public sector, selling to retail and hospitality, or selling direct to consumers.

Ecostudio in collaboration with f3 have been awarded Welsh Government funding to develop the Welsh food supply chain.

Further information can be found on the project website. Click here.

If you’re interested in this opportunity email us asap we’ll call you to discuss in more detail.

Phase 2 of the Sustainable Supply Chains initiative underway!

Building on the success of our work with f3 local food consultants in 2009-2011 the next stage of the Sustainable Supply Chains initiative will focus on 2 things:

1. to develop a self assessment sustainable business toolkit, and:
2. to support 3 social enterprises to expand their marketplace.

Ecostudio are busy with the research and development for the sustainable business toolkit that'll aim to provide the means for any food business to plan for the future.

We'll add regular updates here so please check back or contact us.

Ecostudio new website launching on November 19th - check back soon!

We're currently developing and updating our website to inform potential clients about what we do and to act as a resource for sustainable business in the food and drink sector.

We're compiling a number of case studies of companies that we've worked with in recent years. These provide examples of how developing innovative and responsible practices improves sustainability and is simply better for business.

Here's a few links to provide a taster:

The Knobbly Carrot Food Company: http://www.theknobblycarrot.co.uk/

Ty Tanglwyst Dairy: http://www.tytanglwystdairy.com/

Bacheldre Mill: http://www.bacheldremill.co.uk/

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