Growers and producers invited to online advice and discussion sessions

Monmouthshire County Council is to host a series of online discussion and information sessions aimed at small community growers, market gardeners, allotment holders and traditional farms in addition to businesses interested in using local produce.

Featuring key speakers, the first session will be held at 4pm on Thursday 18th February and it will open discussion on key aspects of food development in the county. The meeting will be held via the Microsoft Teams communication platform.

Monmouthshire enjoys a well-deserved reputation for its food, and events such as the Abergavenny Food Festival, goods of the highest quality and a high standard of restaurants as well as other food outlets throughout the county are evidence of its standing.

Businesses and producers interested in participating in the first session should contact Monmouthshire's Rural Food Development Officer, Deserie Mansfield - DeserieMansfield@monmouthshire.gov.uk – or telephone 07816 066046 by 12noon on Thursday 18th February.

Monmouthshire's cabinet member with responsibility for sustainability, Councillor Jane Pratt said: "Monmouthshire County Council recognises the value that food has on health and well-being as well as our local economy.  We are identifying a range of actions and measures in the community that may provide opportunities to improve the continuity, volume, range and quality of locally grown produce."