An innovative project to supply food banks on Anglesey with fresh fruit and veg has won a prestigious national award.

Anglesey Food Bank, Amlwch Food Bank and Bwyd Da Mon are supplied with local produce as part of a project led by Isle of Anglesey County Council, in partnership with the Wallich, Care Link & Wild Elements.

The project was recently presented with the ‘Positive Placemaking’ award at the 2022 Chartered Institute of Housing’s Welsh Housing Awards.

The awards recognise the creativity, passion and innovation of housing organisations and individuals across the sector.

Funding for the award-winning project was secured via Welsh Government’s ‘Tackling Food Poverty and Insecurity’. It utilises four sites across the island to grow fresh local produce.

The sites are located at:

• Digartref Cyf, Holyhead – young people support to maintain this site
• Newry Beach allotments – the allotments team maintain this site
• Parc Mount, Llangefni – this land has been provided by Carelink Homecare Services Ltd and will is maintained by The Wallich clients
• Beaumaris allotments society – the society maintains this site

Anglesey’s Head of Housing Services, Ned Michael, said, “To win this prestigious award is a testament to all the staff and partners involved in this fantastic project.”

“The approach to community growing has never been as important as it is now. We are proud to be a part of such an important and sustainable project on Anglesey & look forward to developing more sites in the future.”

As well as growing fresh fruit and veg, the site located at Parc Mount, Llangefni has been transformed into a vibrant green space.

Anglesey’s Housing Portfolio Holder, Councillor Alun Mummery, added, “I would like to congratulate and thank all of the staff, partners and volunteers involved in this fantastic project. It’s excellent to see their hard work being recognised with this award.”

He added, “Given the current cost of living crisis, it’s important that we continue do as much as can to help individuals and families who are facing difficult financial choices.”

Ends 25 November 2022