WIREDGOV

The 31 festivals - large and small - feature a wide range of products and are an important showcase for producers and Welsh produce among who are many Wales the True Taste Food and Drink Awards winners.

Said Carwyn Jones, First Minister of Wales: "I am delighted the Welsh Assembly Government has been able to continue to support food anddrink festivals across Wales.

"During 2011/12 the festivals will collectively receive £368,521.36 in assistance, signifying their importance to the economy and Wales' reputation as a producer of high quality and diverse food and drink.

"They attract thousands of visitors each year, and I look forward to being among them."

Food festivals play an important role in the local economy attracting visitors and providing a showcase for producers.

Indeed, it is estimated that the overall economic impact of Welsh food festivals on their host communities is annually as much as £20.3m.

There is a positive knock-on effect on employment in rural areas too with around 1,125 jobs linked to food festivals.

Food festivals in Wales have an important effect on developing food culture in Wales for both visitors and local people, raising awareness of the wide variety of produce available throughout the country.

Research undertaken by the Welsh Government over the last two years into the benefits of food festivals has shown a diverse range of impacts achieved not only economically, but also educating consumers about where their food comes from and the benefits of buying direct from the producer.

Food Festivals supported by the Welsh Government

2011:

• Gorseinon Food Festival (16 April) Gorseinon, Swansea:  £7,849.90 
• Welsh Perry & Cider Festival (27 - 30 May) Clytha Arms near Abergavenny: £1,492.70     
• Llŷn Land & Seafood Festival (28 - 29 May) Pwllheli Marina: £9,000.00  
• Gŵyl Fwyd Castell Newydd Emlyn (18 June) Newcastle Emlyn: £5,089.24   
• Hay-On-Wye Food Festival (25 June) Hay-On-Wye: £3,600.00  
• Llandysul Food Festival (25 June) Llandysul: £9,074.18  
• Carmarthen Journal Buy Local Food & Drink Show (June/Jul) Carmarthen Town Centre: £8,015.50  
• Cardiff International Food & Drink Festival (8 - 10 July) Cardiff: £37,500.00  
• Cardigan Bay Seafood Festival (10 July) Aberaeron Harbour: £9,500.00
• Lampeter Food Festival (23 July) University of Wales, Lampeter:  £9,516.25   
• The Really Wild Food & Countryside Festival (29 - 30 July) Whitesands Rd, St Davids:  £9,800.00     
• Big Welsh Bite (5 - 7 August) Pontypridd: £16,012.45    
• Cardigan River and Food Festival (6 August) Cardigan: £9,995.00  
• Haverfordwest Beer, Cider, Perry and Local Produce Festival (27 - 28 August) Haverfordwest Castle: £4,648.64   
• Brecon Beacons Summer Fayre (27 - 29 August) National Park, Brecon:  £4,480.00     
• Welsh Food Festival 2011 (3 - 4 September) Glansevern Hall, Welshpool: £7,500.00   
• Gŵyl Fwyd Blas Tywi (10 - 11 September) Llandeilo: £5,612.69   
• Aberystwyth Food and Drink Festival (17 September) Baker St, Aberystwyth:  £8,239.76     
• Abergavenny Food Festival (17 - 18 September) Abergavenny: £52,200.00  
• The Mold Food and Drink Festival (24 - 25 September) Mold: £16,100.00
• Narberth Food Festival (23 - 25 Sept) Town Moor, Narberth: £9,999.00  
• The Great British Cheese Festival (23 - 25 Sept) Cardiff Castle:£15,000.00  
• Feastival (Bridgend) (30 Sept - 1 Oct) Bridgend: £9,950.00 
• Brecon Beacons Food Festival (1 October) Market Hall, Brecon: £6,300.00  
• Neath Food and Drink Festival (7 - 8 October) Neath: £9,999.00 
• Anglesey Oyster and Welsh Produce Festival (8 - 9 October) Trearddur Bay, Anglesey: £2,875.00  
• Gwledd Conwy Feast (20-23 October) Conwy: £41,000.00  
• Newport Food Festival (28 - 30 October) Newport Town Centre: £15,171.70   
• Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival (29 - 30 October) Cowbridge: £9,990.00

2012

• Get Welsh in Swansea Food and Drink Show (25 Feb or 3 March) Swansea: £8,004.00     
• Saundersfoot St Davids Day Festival (3 - 4 March) Saundersfoot: £5,006.35   

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