Social Enterprise, Council, and Community Hubs join forces to combat Rising Food Prices and address Anglesey’s food insecurity.

A social enterprise, Menter Môn, has partnered with the Isle of Anglesey County Council and community centres to provide free, nutritious meals to island residents in response to the rising cost of living. This initiative aims to combat food insecurity by stocking communal freezers across the island with nourishing meals, providing much-needed assistance to families struggling with rising food costs.

According to recent data, food insecurity has become a significant problem in Anglesey and throughout the United Kingdom, necessitating community-driven initiatives like this.

The Neges Project: An Effort in Collaboration

As part of the Neges initiative, Menter Môn and the council will collaborate to stock the freezers of ten community hubs across the island with ready-to-eat meals. The meals in the community freezers are available to all, regardless of economic status.

All meals are prepared in Dylan’s professional kitchen on the island, focusing on locally sourced ingredients such as lamb from Llangefni and sausages from Edwards of Conwy. Additionally, the project collaborates with initiatives such as the warm spaces project, food pantries across the county, and Anglesey County Council’s cost of living initiatives.

Beneficiaries’ and Organisers’ Testimonials

The Isle of Anglesey County Council’s leader, Cllr Llinos Medi, stated, “We are pleased to continue our positive working relationship with Menter Môn as we implement this new scheme under the Neges banner.” “We recognise that many of our residents have struggled this winter due to the ongoing cost of living.”

Members of the community who have benefited from the initiative hold similar opinions. Jane, a single mother of two children, stated, “This initiative has saved my family’s existence. Having access to nutritious meals without having to worry about the cost has had a profound impact on our lives.”

Local ingredients and support for Anglesey’s farmers and producers

Dylan’s Restaurants contributed to developing the original concept, and all meals are still prepared in their Llangefni production facility. Dafydd Jones, food projects manager at Menter Môn, emphasised the significance of local ingredients, stating, “Ensuring that the ingredients in the meals are sourced locally is crucial for us, as it not only supports producers on the island but also reduces food miles and exposes local produce to a potential new market.”

This project will receive funding from the discretionary Welsh Government hardship fund for 2022-23.