A food delivery service set up to feed vulnerable people and key NHS workers during the coronavirus crisis could provide future opportunities for local businesses.
The project - named Neges - was put in place soon after lockdown by Dylan’s restaurants and Menter Môn, initially as a response to help feed local families having difficulty accessing essential food supplies.
The partnership, which also includes local authorities and a dozen local food suppliers, has so far delivered food parcels to over 1,800 people.
A further 5,000 packed lunches and prepared meals have been provided for frontline workers.
Menter Môn and its partners are currently looking at options on how Neges could evolve in the future, providing help for businesses in the food sector to develop sustainable business models.
The social enterprise is currently in conversation with local authorities on the provision of food and meals to vulnerable families over the summer holidays.
This is something which could develop into a longer term arrangement, brining an alternative income stream for businesses – including restaurants, producers and suppliers.
Dylan’s is currently offering its services on a voluntary basis, but like many other businesses they are looking to diversify and innovate for long term sustainability - recently launching their own meal delivery service from its Menai Bridge restaurant.
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David Evans, one of the owners of Dylan’s, said: “When we first started talking to Menter Môn about Neges we didn’t anticipate the level of demand there’d be for the service.
"In that sense it has exceeded expectations and we’re pleased to have made a difference. We’ve been able to put our own facilities to good use to prepare meals and thanks to suppliers across the area we’ve been able to use quality local produce.
“Whilst the aim initially was to provide support to vulnerable people and key workers, as a business we also have to adapt to survive.
"It’s no secret that the pandemic has hit our sector very hard, so we must plan ahead. The hope is that Neges could become a vehicle to help local businesses, such as ours as we consider the future and how we can diversify to ensure we have a sustainable business model post Covid-19.
"None of us have ever seen a time like this before – we must learn from it and look for the positives moving forward.”
Neges is managed by Menter Môn’s local food initiative, Môn Larder, and ensures the whole budget is spent locally. It is estimated that 80% of the scheme’s suppliers do the same – making partners optimistic it will help pave the way to develop a circular economy model for the future.
Dafydd Gruffydd, managing director of Menter Môn, said: “The success of this project stems from everyone getting involved and having a can-do attitude – taking responsibility for their own areas and using their own expertise and resources to make a difference.
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"We need to harness this for future growth and the sustainability of our communities. With new partnerships put in place Neges can have a positive knock-on effect on the whole food and drink sector by strengthening local supply chains.”
“Making the most of resources available to us locally is a core value at Menter Môn – and this is one of the reasons I think Neges has been able to make such a difference.
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"We started out with the aim of providing food parcels to vulnerable families in the area – but by working together we are now seeing an innovative project helping businesses look at how they can recover beyond the current crisis.”
Here is a list of the other businesses involved in the Neges scheme:
Becws Môn
Blas ar Fwyd
Cotteswold Dairy (Welsh milk)
Derwydd Free Range Welsh Eggs
Dolmeinir Meats
Dylan’s
Edwards of Conwy
Gower View Foods
Harlech Foodservice
Llaeth y Llan
M. Hughes & Sons
Popty Bakery
South Caernarfon Creameries
Welsh Brew Tea