New report available: How Community Food Co-ops make a positive contribution to future generations.

Since 2004 the RRU Community Food Co-ops programme in Wales has provided healthy and affordable food to those that most need it – whilst providing much needed access to market, and a straightforward distribution for an increasing number of regional growers and local produce. 

Run as a social enterprise and volunteer led there were over 300 co-ops active across Wales in 2016. 

The programme was established with Welsh Government funding to deliver multiple policy objectives on health, poverty and rural development. It is closely aligned with the goals of the Well being for Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. They strive to ensure their operational activities and strategic decision making is environmentally sound and socially responsible. 

Ecostudio has worked closely with the team to develop an award winning 10 point sustainability plan. This has enabled them to monitor, evaluate and improve their performance whilst demonstrating a return on investment that adds value to the community benefits that they are established to deliver.

Our report provides a summary of this work to date. It can be downloaded here.

In 2011 @jonhenley asked me about sustainability & Welsh food. https://t.co/JHIn9GS80D Pls vote 4 me @FoodDrinkWales https://t.co/9dU2HDcyPs

— Iain Cox (@iain_cox) October 26, 2016

Iain Cox, Founder of Ecostudio, shortlisted for Sustainability Champion Award!

It's an honour to be on a shortlist of 3 for Sustainability Champion of the inaugural Sustain Wales Awards.

To get this far is a real boost to me personally and acknowledges the contributions of all that have been involved since I set up Ecostudio in 2008.

If you'd like to vote for me please do so here: http://www.cynnalcymru.com/sustainability-champion-2016/

If you'd like to find out a little more about me before you decide please read this article: http://www.mywelshpool.co.uk/viewerheadline/ArticleId/11801

Sustainable business toolkit for food SMEs launched at Royal Welsh Show

The Sustainable Business Review is a new self assessment for food companies led by Ecostudio as part of a 5 year partnership programme funded through the EU and Welsh Government.

Flyers designed for the Show

Susie, Lucy and Iain were at the Royal Welsh Show to promote the toolkit to exhibitors in a busy food hall. Around 50 food businesses are now signed up and we're looking forward to helping them to take advantage of the opportunities that the growing marketplace for sustainable food provides.

Bottles of award winning Welsh bubbly are also up for grabs for businesses that register for the Review by 7 August 2015 (not to mention the free sustainable business report they receive when its complete!).

We'll be announcing the winning companies very soon....pls check back.

We have an immediate requirement for a sustainable food researcher.

You'll be working with us on the Sustainable Supply Chains initiative a Welsh Government funded project that we've been running in partnership with f3 since 2009.

Your role will be to help us develop the Sustainable Business Review - a new self assessment toolkit for food and farming businesses that we are launching to the industry throughout Wales.

This is a 3 month fixed term post until the end of July 2015.

For further information and to apply for the role here.

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.

RRU Community Food Co-ops wins national horticulture award for environmental practices!

We're delighted that the RRU Community Food Co-ops have been recognised for their leadership and commitment in sustainable development by receiving the Environmental Excellence Award from Horticulture Wales - an official organisation established to support Welsh horticulture business.

The Community Food Co-ops are long established to provide healthy and affordable food to those that most need it – whilst providing much needed access to market, and a straightforward distribution for an increasing number of regional growers and local produce.

Run as a social enterprise and volunteer led there are currently over 300 co-ops active across Wales. 

Ecostudio have been working with the RRU social enterprise since 2009.

A 10 point sustainability plan has enabled them to measure, evaluate and improve their performance whilst demonstrating an environmental and economic return on investment that adds value to the community benefits that they are established to deliver.

We'll write more about this here soon. In the meantime feel free to get in touch if you'd like to find out more.