A Newtown-based food cooperative is leading the way in Powys towards increasing awareness and access to locally grown food.

Cultivate has secured grants through Sustainable Food Places to develop food partnerships that aim to create healthy, more sustainable local food systems in the county.

Jodie Griffith, manager, said: “This funding will allow us to reach out and connect with other groups and organisations and begin to bring all the fantastic work people are doing together.

"We know there is a lot going on in north Powys, so this will give us a change to increase capacity and connect the dots and build something more sustainable.

“It will have a positive effect on people in the community, by increasing awareness and access to good food grown locally. We hope to improve local food procurement and strengthen relationships between producers and customers to create more resilient and vibrant communities.”

Funding from Sustainable Food Places in Powys will be co-ordinated by Cultivate to develop food partnerships towards growing place-based infrastructure that can benefit the health, economy, and sustainability in communities across mid Wales.

The Sustainable Food Places partnership is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and The National Lottery Community Fund, and currently has 55 members across the UK.