PUPILS at twenty-three schools across Powys are enjoying fresh, more sustainable meal options as part of the Welsh Veg in Schools (WVIS) initiative. By including locally grown, organic vegetables directly into school lunches, the project is not only enabling children to enjoy Welsh vegetables, but also forging stronger links between classrooms and the Welsh horticulture sector. This successful rollout in Powys, through wholesaler Castell Howell, marks a significant step toward a more resilient local food economy, ensuring children have access to healthy, seasonal food while providing Welsh growers with a guaranteed, reliable market.
Welsh Veg in Schools is a movement of stakeholders led by Food Sense Wales and Lantra striving to get more organically produced Welsh veg and fruit into primary school meals across Wales whilst simultaneously growing Wales’ horticulture sector. This year, Welsh Veg in Schools is working with over 20 growers; 5 wholesalers and 16 Local Authority areas, including Powys. Local Food Partnerships are supporting the roll out of the initiative, with Bwyd Powys Food supporting the wider work across Powys.
Between July and December 2026, Welsh Veg in Schools is aiming to supply around 100 tonnes of local, organic vegetables to around 600 schools across Wales.
Recognising that Welsh organic vegetables are generally, though not always, more expensive than conventionally grown veg, Welsh Veg in Schools covers the price gap between local, organic produce and standard prices through a nature friendly uplift payment. The guaranteed income and support offered by the initiative has enabled growers to scale up, diversify crops and build resilience.
Jason Rawbone, Professional Lead, Catering & Cleaning, Powys County Council, said: “The Welsh Veg in Schools project is a powerful example of how we can connect our children to the food they eat and the land it comes from.
“By serving fresh, organic vegetables grown right here in Wales, we are supporting our local farmers, reducing our carbon footprint, and helping our pupils develop a more connected relationship with food.
“Seeing the positive impact on school meals in our twenty-three participating schools across Powys highlights the importance of this work for our community’s future.”
Welsh Veg in Schools is helping to create a range of benefits, including improving children’s access to healthy, local food; supporting Welsh farmers and growers; building strong local food systems; tackling climate change and increasing biodiversity.
This initiative is part of a broader commitment to local food systems. To stay informed about this work and discover other exciting food projects happening in Powys please sign the Powys Food Charter.
You can also find out more about Welsh Veg in Schools by visiting the initiative’s web pages.
Welsh Veg in Schools is being supported through private, charitable, and public funds, including the Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature Challenge Fund 2025/27, administered by WCVA.
