Welsh Veg in Schools

Lantra, an environmental charity which operates across the UK and Ireland, are being supported by Vale of Glamorgan LNP to deliver an ambitious project supplying fresh fruit and veg to schools across Wales.

The project will support 20 local growers and five wholesalers. A nature-friendly uplift mechanism is being trialled to reward better practice, with positive early feedback from growers. The Nature Uplift Payment (NUP) has provided the financial resilience needed for these businesses to continue producing high-quality Welsh horticultural crops under future climate conditions. The sector is already moving in the right direction, and we know that timely, targeted investment will help sustain and accelerate this transition. The NUP has given the growers the ability to plan, commit and invest whilst reducing the risk on the grower.

For 100 tonnes of produce, projected returns include: £215,420 in farmer income; £797,054 in social, economic and environmental benefit; 20 tonnes CO2e saved; 7.2 FTE jobs supported; and a 35% increase in biodiversity (measured by increased birdlife in organically farmed fields compared with non-organic).

The model has strong buy-in. 16 local authorities are taking part, with a further two keen to join in 2026 if there is sufficient produce: Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Merthyr, RCT, Vale of Glamorgan, Monmouthshire, Powys, Torfaen, Bridgend, Blaenau Gwent, Cardiff, Gwynedd, Denbighshire and Conwy (and Flintshire and Wrexham are hoping to join if enough produce is grown).

In 2026 an estimated 600 schools will receive Welsh veg- around 1 million child portions- and the project will continue into 2027.

Wrap-around activities such as farm visits, shown to increase children’s willingness to eat the produce, are being developed with Local Food Partnerships.

The project was promoted at the 2026 Royal Welsh show, demonstrating to farmers how public-private partnerships can have social and environmental benefits in Wales.