True Taste Award Winners stand out at Tesco

From Brew Wales

In order to help its customers locate quality Welsh produce, Tesco is launching new signage in 29 superstores and 15 Tesco Extra stores right across Wales. Six award-winning True Taste producers, a Welsh Assembly Government brand, have been selected to feature on the new signage in Tesco supermarkets which will feature on shelves up and down the country. They include two of Wales' best breweries, Brains and Tomos Watkin.
Other food producers include Edwards of Conwy, Cadog, First Milk and South Caernarfon Creameries.
The Minister for Rural Affairs, Elin Jones, says, “One of the priorities of the Welsh Assembly Government is to make it easier for consumers to buy food and drink produced in Wales, and this new signage will significantly help in achieving that goal.
“Local sourcing of food and drink is one of our priorities as set out in One Wales and the Local Sourcing Action Plan. The Plan aims to support local food and drink producers as well as assisting them in their efforts to access local markets. The Plan also aims to help Wales maintain high standards in food safety, develop local food cultures and reduce “food miles”.”
The signage, which is of post-card size, will include some background information and a photograph of each producer along with the True Taste logo.
Mark Grant, Tesco’s Senior Buying Manager for Wales, explains, “These producers are producing award winning products that carry the True Taste logo, which are recognised by consumers and the food and drink industry as a sign of excellence.
“Our customer research tells us that people are increasingly looking out for regional and local produce and we are delighted to be able to offer them a wide range of local Welsh products.”

Statistics show that people are far more interested in food production, provenance and buying British than ever before. Research shows that 84% of customers claim they would buy more locally sourced products if made available to them in supermarkets and that 32% of people view local food as a way to take positive steps for the environment. Tesco launched a local sourcing initiative in 2008 and has 450 regional products in its Welsh stores. 

The Wales the True Taste Awards were founded in 2002 and are managed by the Welsh Assembly Government.  The awards scheme recognises and rewards quality and excellence in Welsh food and drink.  Year-on-year the True Taste Awards grow in strength and popularity and are regarded as the 'Oscars' of the Welsh food industry.  For further information about the Wales the True Taste awards please visit: www.walesthetruetaste.co.uk / www.truetaste.tv