A new European collaborative project had been launched to help small and medium sized food and drink companies innovate in the healthy food sector.

Small and medium sized Welsh food and drink businesses and manufacturers are set to benefit from a €1.2 million international project, funded through the Interreg Atlantic Area programme, to help broaden their knowledge and capacity to supply the increased demand for innovative healthy food.

The Atlantic Healthy Food EcoSystem (AFHES) project, co-funded by the Welsh Government and delivered by BIC Innovation in Wales, brings together partners from France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Northern Ireland, including the regions of Galicia, Brittany and the Basque Country.

The programme aims to improve the competitiveness of Welsh food and drink companies within the Atlantic Area region by giving them the skills and networking opportunities they need to develop new products and access new markets, including through training, mentoring and coaching support.

The network of companies and organisations across the new international partnership will also share knowledge, expertise and best practice to address key market requirements.

Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, said:

“The last few years have seen a growing demand for innovative healthy food.  We want to help small and medium sized businesses to tap into these new opportunities and this new international cross border project will help do just that.

“This EU funded programme, supported by Welsh Government, will help increase the competitiveness of our SMEs and drive sales in this emerging sector, whilst strengthening our international engagement with key regions in Europe, which are so important at this time.”