Press release from Mark Jones Welsh Produce Manager, Rural Regeneration Unit

Selling direct to the public means you get maximum returns from your crops. But how much time do you spend marketing when you really want to be growing?   An increasing number of Welsh farmers are adopting another way of selling direct to the customer. Co-operatives are often overlooked in favour of Farmers Markets, Farm Shops, and Box Schemes, but they offer the benefits of direct selling without the need to spend so much time marketing.   There are over 200 fruit and vegetable co-operatives in Wales. The number of Welsh grower businesses interested in supplying these co-ops has increased by over 100% since September 2008.   The community food co-operative programme in Wales was set up by the Welsh Assembly Government in partnership with the Rural Regeneration Unit in 2004 to help improve the health of people in Wales, by providing an affordable way for people to get their 'five-a-day' as well as helping local farmers and growers.   Food co-ops are experiencing a huge increase in demand from customers wanting value for money. Fruit and vegetables from a co-op provide better value for money than the big supermarkets and meet the increasing demand for food to be truly local. They offer a socially beneficial, environmentally friendly option for getting fresh, locally grown produce to local people. And the advantages of co-ops will be with us long after the credit crunch has passed.   Huson’s Farm Produce in Hawarden, Flintshire supply directly to over 40 food co-ops. Alan Huson says: “Supplying in bulk direct to individual co-ops cuts out the middleman so that we all feel the financial benefits. I enjoy selling direct to the public. The feedback is very satisfying. I believe that the co-op volunteers and customers like to deal direct with a grower too”. Food co-ops represent approximately 50% of Huson’s business. Alan and his family plan their planting according to the demand of the co-ops. “We believe supplying co-ops could work for any family farm that has easy access to the market and is not afraid of hard work.”   It is no surprise that the number of Welsh growers wanting to be involved in supplying food co-ops is increasing. Growers can supply co-ops directly with a weekly bulk delivery of vegetables, salad and fruit throughout the year or indirectly through an existing direct supplier.    To find out more about co-ops contact Mark Jones on 01492 660263, mob 07733 036585, email: mark.jones@rru.org.uk. Mark is Welsh Produce Manager for the Community Food Co-operative Project