The Living Good Food Nation Lab team, along with Professor Wendy Russell (Rowett Institute and Scottish Food Coalition) and Simon Kenton Lake (Nourish and Scottish Food Coalition) welcomed the Future Generation of Wales Commissioner, Derek Walker and his team along with Pearl Costello of Food Sense Wales, to a delicious, locally sourced lunch at the University’s Old College.

Nine people on a set of stairs
Photo credit: Mariyah Zaman

Whilst football (and rugby) was very much off the menu for the Welsh contingency, sharing knowledge and ideas on driving change in both local and national food systems was on the menu. Our team spoke of their experience of driving forward the legislative plan that is in place for Scotland whilst the Welsh team shared their experience and knowledge of creating sustainable change through local food partnerships. It was a conversation we were lucky enough to be able to continue into the evening at the Scottish Food Coalition’s 10-year birthday celebration at the Scottish Parliament. Needless to say, the Lab is already excited to keep sharing insights and learning together with a visit to the Green Valley itself on the cards.

Future Generations Commissioner of Wales

Derek Walker, The Future Generations Commissioner for Wales has an independent role, under the well-being of Future Generations Act, to support and challenge Wales to make decisions in the best interests of the people who aren’t born yet. Derek, has prioritised the food system in his seven year strategy, Cymru Can

The Future Generations Report 2025 outlines findings and recommendations around the food system for Welsh Government and the Welsh public sector.

Key messages

  • Wales cannot achieve its well-being goals without urgent action to ensure equal access to local, healthy and sustainable food for all.
  • Wales must improve its food resilience for current and future generations due to the volatility of the global food system.
  • Wales is making progress: Universal Free School Meals for primary schools, Welsh Veg in Schools, Welsh Government’s Community Food Strategy and there is a Local Food Partnership for every local authority area in Wales.

Future Generations Report 2025 recommendations

  • Welsh Government should develop a national food resilience plan and integrate food into the Well-being of Future Generations Act.
  • Local Authorities should develop local food resilience plans involving Local Food Partnerships and Public Services Boards.
  • Welsh Government should expand Universal Free Schools Meals for all children up to the age of 16 and ensure every child leaves school food literate.
  • Free School Meals should contain at least two portions of locally and sustainably produced seasonal vegetables.
  • All public bodies should restrict the provision and promotion of ultra-processed foods and foods high in fat, sugar and/or salt.
  • Welsh Government and local authorities should explore the development of a Welsh Fruit & Vegetable Voucher Scheme to increase access to fruit and vegetables for low-income households.

Food and local authorities in Wales

In November 2025, the Future Generations Commissioner, working with Food Sense Wales and Local Food Partnerships, published guidance to help Welsh local authorities strengthen local food systems. The document shares best practices, case studies, and practical resources on policies within local authority influence, covering areas such as governance, planning, procurement, food access, healthy eating, and reducing food waste.

Food Sense Wales

Food Sense Wales

Pearl Costello is the Sustainable Food Places Manager for Food Sense Wales. Since 2018, Food Sense Wales has worked to transform the way food is produced and consumed across Wales. By partnering with communities, organisations, and government, they aim to build a food and farming system that is healthy, sustainable, and fair—placing people and the planet at its heart. Their strategy is built around three key pillars:

  • Building a positive food culture in Wales that invests in people, embraces our heritage, celebrates and values “the local” and puts food education front and centre.
  • Catalysing a revolution in local and sustainable procurement inspired by horticulture.
  • Supporting the development of a Food Policy and legislative framework that enables, sets targets for and monitors the transition of agroecological production and consumption in Wales to benefit the environment and society.

Food Sense Wales is also one of 6 UK partners leading Sustainable Food Places, and supporting Wales 13 members. Our very own Aberdeen received Gold Award status earlier last year. Food Sense Wales supports the Welsh Government in building Wales’ network of 22 local food partnerships—one in each local authority—encouraging best practice and driving change towards healthy, sustainable food systems. They adopt a food systems perspective, tackling a variety of interconnected food-related challenges and collaborating, to drive meaningful change.

Read more on the great work being carried out by Food sense Wales and Wales Sustainable Places: Recognising Wales’ award-winning Sustainable Food Places

Listen here for more insights into the Future of Food In Wales, BBC Radio 4 - The Food Programme, Wales's Secret Ingredient: Lessons from Cymru on the Future of Food

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Louise Oliver is our Research Project Coordinator.