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Welsh food project approaching £500m worth of impact

23-Jul-2024 - Last updated on 23-Jul-2024 at 13:29 GMT

Project HELIX has helped create 101 jobs in the Welsh F&B sector over the past 12 months. Credit: Food Innovation Wales

The Welsh Government backed Project HELIX has delivered nearly £500m in impact to the food and drink industry since its launch in 2016.

According to the latest figures, the technical and commercial support provided by the project has led to a financial impact of more than £491m.

Project HELIX, which is delivered by the three food centres across the country that make up Food Innovation Wales, offers a range of funded support in response to the needs of the sector, including help with process operations, new product development and food safety certification.

Since July 2023, Project HELIX has been funded solely by Welsh Government and delivered £119m in financial impact in the past year. Over that same time period, it has created 101 jobs, safeguarded more than 3,200 jobs, supported 193 businesses, assisted 52 new businesses and helped develop 214 new products.

'Focus on NPD'

Commenting on the impact of the project, Professor David Lloyd from Cardiff Metropolitan University, said: “Project HELIX continues to offer invaluable support to the Welsh food and drink sector. Over the past year, there has been a particular focus on new product development targeted at growth markets and the evaluation of waste and processes to improve efficiency.

“With ongoing funding from the Welsh Government, Food Innovation Wales will continue to support the Welsh food and drink industry in addressing challenges and capitalising on opportunities.”

Echoing Lloyd, cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs Huw Irranca-Davies added: “Food plays a key role in supporting our economy and it is wonderful to see the impact Project HELIX is having on food and drink businesses in Wales.

“I am pleased to share that we will shortly be launching our Agri-Food Technology Challenge Fund to encourage agricultural and food businesses across Wales to develop technology-based solutions to challenges that affect their businesses.

“This fund will provide a total of £500,000 worth of support for projects, and I look forward to seeing how they benefit and innovate the sector.”

Carmarthenshire-based Do Goodly Dips is one example of a business supported by the project, with the vegan and gluten-free dip manufacturer using the assistance on offer to develop a new meal pot range.

“Food Innovation Wales provided invaluable support for us right the way through the development process and enabled us to make some great tasting products whilst also ensuring we meet our Do Goodly health credentials criteria,” said founder Richard Abbey.

“This new range has also opened doors to several new customers whom we wish to work with.’’

For more information about the project, Food Manufacture spoke to Lloyd and his Food Innovation Wales colleague Martine Jardine about the support it offers Welsh F&B firms.