Project HELIX, an initiative delivered by Food Innovation Wales, has helped create 428 new jobs and protect a further 1,749 roles in the Welsh food and drink industry.

The project, which is funded by the Welsh Government and the EU, allows eligible companies to have access to industry expertise “to help them grow and succeed through developing innovative new products.” It also aims to help businesses increase their efficiency and adopt “a strategic approach to business.”

To date, the project has supported 257 business start-ups and seen 1010 new products developed.

Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, Lesley Griffiths recently visited the Anglesey Food Technology Centre, one of the centres involved in Project HELIX. The centre helps companies manufacture products on a pilot scale to secure sales from retailers before investing in equipment. Alongside its partner sites in Cardiff and Ceredigion, the centre works with a broad range of businesses from start-ups to national companies.

The centre, in recent years, has also helped businesses navigate the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. Amongst other support measures, the centre has provided mentoring to companies through remote food safety audits and aided them with capitalising on consumer trends, such as the growth of online retail.

Martin Jardine, director of Agri Food at Grwp Llandrillo Menai, said: “Plans to further support the Welsh food sector are underway and our aim to develop the Glynllifon Rural Economy Hub, as part of the North Wales Growth Deal is progressing well. It is an exciting project, which aims to boost the rural economy through a knowledge transfer centre, food grade premises and incubator units to further support innovation, business start-ups and farm diversification.”