Following a phenomenal six years of development, success and achievement in becoming one of the most sustainable food places in the UK, the outgoing Food Cardiff co-ordinator, Pearl Costello takes a moment to reflect and welcome the new chapter for the partnership:

It has been a huge privilege to lead Food Cardiff, to help grow and shape this partnership which is made possible by the incredible passion and desire that people in Cardiff have to transform its food system. 

What’s really unique about being the coordinator of a food partnership like Food Cardiff is that you get to work towards long term, transformational whole-systems changes whilst witnessing the small, wonderful changes that make big differences to people’s everyday lives along the way. 

For example, throughout my time with Food Cardiff, Cardiff Council was the first local authority in the UK to publish its own Food Strategy, Cardiff’s Veg Cities campaign lead to 100,000s more portions of veg being served in schools and hospitals, the Courgette Pilot has paved the way for Welsh Veg in Schools; and the Public Service Board Good Food & Movement Framework is collectively changing the food environment to enable good food for all.

Thinking back – lots to celebrate

There have been lots of highlights for me – some of the first that come to mind are:

• Seeing communities rallying around to support each other during the Covid-19 pandemic, working to collectively distribute over 20,000 plug plants, seeds and sowing kits to inspire hope during a time of crisis.
• Facilitating a trip for Cardiff Community Food Collective members to visit food partnerships, community gardens and food co-ops in London, inspiring the group to work together to try to tackle the root causes of food poverty. 
• Working with a group of citizens, dietitians, farmers and retailers to develop big ideas to make climate friendly food more accessible, resulting in the Planet Card pilot. It was so motivating to me to hear from a participant who told us that they often get asked to consult on things that never happen, but this is different – and now hearing feedback from members such as “I can say that before, I limited myself to buying a few products and only a few vegetables. Now, I eat better and healthier thanks to the [Planet] card.”
• Facilitating a visit from Herbert Thompson Primary School pupils during Food and Fun to Cardiff Salad Garden, to experience veg being grown at the heart of the city: “Before Food and Fun one pupil was only eating packed lunches with dried food. We’ve been tasting lots of things over the last few weeks and she’s now eating school dinners. She’s going to have school dinners in September. We call her our superstar for how much she’s been tasting”

Celebrating the power of the network

What these highlights have in common, is the power of people and collaboration. None of these would have been possible without the collective energy, creativity and commitment of people across Cardiff. This was reflected in Cardiff’s achievement in attaining the Sustainable Food Places Gold Award in 2024, where the feedback included:

“What particularly stands out in Cardiff is that there is a really strong, grassroots, good food movement here, where people are getting involved and the communities are really well represented. What’s more, there is also superb buy-in from the local authority and health board. To see the ways that they are coming together and working together in the Welsh capital, is pretty remarkable.”

These achievements have in no small part been a model and inspiration for the current efforts across Wales to create a food system which is good for people and the planet. 

In 2023, Wales’ Future Generations Commissioner published Cymru Can – a strategy for 2023- 2030 outlining his long-term vision and announcing the food system as his first area of focus. The Future Generations Commissioner’s Annual Report, published earlier this year (2025), emphasised the pivotal role of local food partnerships and advocated for schemes such as the Planet Card.

The Welsh Government’s Community Food Strategy, also published earlier this year (2025) featured a case study on Food Cardiff and committed over £2million funding to further develop the network of Local Food Partnerships across Wales. 

Looking forward to the future

I’m really excited to bring my experience and success in nurturing a Food Partnership, to work with this growing network of Local Food Partnerships in every area in Wales. 

My new role in the Food Sense Wales team is Sustainable Food Places Manager, and I am taking a lead in the development of Local Food Partnerships and sitting on the UK Programme Management Board for Sustainable Food Places. Although I will continue to have oversight of the Food Cardiff partnership, we are thrilled to be welcoming a new Food Cardiff coordinator to bring fresh energy and ideas to take the partnership forward.

Already, things are in motion for this next chapter. This year we have worked with seven community groups to host the Cardiff Good Food Conversations, asking citizens what they want from the future of food in Cardiff. A new public survey has been launched to gather vital insights on local food habits, preferences, and challenges, with the goal of creating a healthier, more sustainable, thriving, empowering, and connected food landscape for all. And in October, we will be hosting a one-day conference to look forward to the next decade, exploring what people and partners in Cardiff want to see by 2035 when it comes to sustainable food – and how we might get there. 

The future for Food Cardiff is bright. With strong foundations, an ambitious Good Food Strategy, and a community of partners who care deeply about food, I know that the partnership will continue to thrive.