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Posts Tagged ‘WAG Food’

‘The People’s Choice Awards’

14 May

In Pembrokeshire on Saturday I saw a leaflet in a coffee shop that on first glance I thought was  advertising Tesco, luckily I did not ignore it because apparently it was published by True Taste. What they are looking for with this is to promote ‘The People’s Choice Awards’.  Wag are hoping that the Welsh public will visit their website, which is one way to help raise their rankings – and vote for their favourite farm shops, fishmongers, butchers, delis, restaurants, tea rooms and wag will take it from there.

Which I presume means they will send their chosen inspectors to those that have been nominated and then wag will again make their final decision.

Hopefully some of our Best Of Welsh & Borders will get their customers organised and get them voting!!!!!

I’ve only ust seen this and thinks it closes end of May, so it hardly gives businesses time to get their customers organised does it?

I’ll reserve judgement on wag’s latest idea ……………………………but their literature certainly gave more prominence to the supermarket logo than True Taste logo, not sure who gave approval for that to go out some Marketing Maestro no doubt.

 
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‘Supplier To Buyer’ Regional Tourism Event

22 Feb

I have to say a huge thank-you to a number of Best Of Welsh & Border producers, (BOW), that told me about this event. Billed as a trade exhibition of Regional suppliers, especially for the hospitality and retail sector, it was held yesterday, the 21st February. I have no idea why I wasn’t told ‘officially’ that it was taking place, especially as I went last year - so my thanks for those BOW that kept me in the loop!

When I’d signed in I was given a bag of what I thought were just brochures, but on returning to work I found quite a good exhibition plan brochure. Maybe if it runs next year the plan layout could be given out separately. I also found in my bag a brochure for Welsh Rarebits, which was quite a surprise considering they hadn’t even got a stand at the event. I’m still wondering as to why this particular brochure was there and can only think Welsh Rarebits are best pals with either Wag or Pembrokeshire County Council, or maybe both.  But no point my puzzling as I cetainly know by now that we don’t have the luxury of trading on a level playing field here in Wales.       

I think there were roughly 90 stands of which about 40 were food, and many of them our BOW producers. It was a pleasure to catch up with so many of you and hear your latest news, along with a few of your worries. 

As always there was mixed raction on the business front. Some traders said they had some good interest, whilst others felt if much quieter than last year. I’m unaware if Pembrokeshire altered their marketing plans for this event this year, or if it was simply a sign of businesses struggling through the recession.

However I was delighted that ‘most’ stands were well supplied with literature, business cards, promotional offers and price lists. Some traders were smartly dressed in their company clothing, others were in business suites, but not many traders wore company name badges. In the afternoon, when there weren’t too many punters about, traders were mingling and badges would have been useful, not just for each other but also for the remaining visitors. 

The quality of Welsh food stands was excellent and I’d be very surprised if visitors were not impressed with the variety and selection and quality on offer. I was delighted to see Blas ar Fwyd Cyf in attendance, who are a company based in Llanrwst. The company initially started off as a deli, but have now grown so much they run a fleet of refrigerated vehicles supplying Welsh produce across Wales to shops, hotels, and restaurants. Their stand was superb and I spent ages on it, not realising how much their range has expanded and now includes it’s own range of award-winning goods.  It will certainly make my life easier when I get moans from anyone who is struggling to find Welsh products!!!   

I do hope that in the next few weeks the traders manage to turn their contacts into some orders.

 
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Delay In Sending Out Festival Application Forms

06 Feb

A festival organiser rang in this morning, moaning to me that their food festival funding application forms were only received at the end of January, with the closing date for applications of February.  

Now the main moan was because these application forms were supposed to have been sent out last November and no-one knows why there has been a delay. My quick quip of ‘wag food’ – well, that didn’t even raise a chuckle. So I followed on by offering some wag names and contact numbers that I have, which might be able to clarify the delay.  But that wasn’t a good idea because, ‘I daren’t complain and bite the hand that is giving out the grants’.

I so fed-up of hearing this from people. I’d hardly call this a complaint, but a question. But apparently not much point in asking wag questions.

So it appears that I’m here to allow this organiser to let off steam – and to get on welshfoodbites – as long as I don’t mention the festival!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In part, I can understand this organiser, as I can understand the producers who don’t wish to jeopardise a grant by complaining to wag either. But nothing will change in this industry if wag ‘in their wisdom’ think everything they do is acceptable. I’ve been told by wag that there is a complaints procedure for anyone who is unhappy, but let’s go no further on that one shall we, as I’m still unhappy with how things are run in food.  

I explained to this organiser that wag had kindly told me last week that the application forms went out at the end of January with a closing date of 17th February. In the past wag have never let me know when these forms have gone out so I’ve no idea on the normal timescale of this. Bearing in mind the festival organisers meeting in Machynlleth was held November, did an organiser ask then when the forms would be sent out? If not, why not? But if so, what’s wrong with ringing and asking about the cause of the delay?

I haven’t further information on this as most of my news/views are from organisers or producers, rather than wag.

I think we are in a sad situation as producers and organisers seem rather fearful of wag food – which is far from ideal to build an industry and certainly not in these difficult trading times.

But what really concerns me, is that I have a full list of wag supported festivals as soon as possible as both my Best Of Welsh & Borders producers and my readers want this information – now rather than later.

So as soon as we have it we’ll publish it on our websites: welshcountry and welshfoodbites.

 
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Fobbed Off Following Freedom Of Information Request About True Taste

18 Jan

In October I requested the following information:

1. There were 1017 entries for True Taste Awards 2011. I require a breakdown of number of entries per county.

2. Would you also provide a number of entries True Taste Awards for 2010 and a breakdown of entries per county.”

On 9th November I received this response from Wag Food:

I have not found any information that fits this description. If you send me further details of the information you want I will look again.

Since that response, I have pursued this matter, until finally, just before Christmas was told that:

the information I requested is not held by the Welsh Government.

Before more of you get hot under the collar, let me clarify. Wag appointed a company to run much of True Taste on their behalf and according to the Wag it is this company that have the information I have asked for. But despite the fact that the WG appointed this company and then pay this company, the Wag say they haven’t got the info I have asked for and patiently waited for.

Entrants to True Taste are asked to enter online and then Wag’s company holds this information on their database. I’m told by Wag that this information is only used to communicate with entrants about the awards and the ceremony.

Obviously I’m being fobbed off, but what we ought to be asking is why?

I’d love to get feedback from you on this one.

 
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Rumblings Continue About Pembrokeshire Produce Direct

01 Dec

The rumblings have continued over the last few weeks as more producers bend my ear about Pembrokeshire Produce Direct, (PPD). Apparently there was a further meeting/party on 18th November to discuss amongst other things how to make sure that PPD is still a business in years to come.

Of course I’ve got an interest in this, firstly becuase they’ve received huge funding, secondly because its food related and finally because I have some of our Best Of  Welsh & Borders producers signed up with them.

Producers have been sent a copy of the accounts and although I have yet to see them, I’m told they paint a gloomy picture. The European grant funding PPD received, which runs on a declining scale is due to end in the not too distant future.

I understand that PPD needs to be servicing 250 customers on a regular basis by March 2013 when at the moment, on average, they are currently servicing 50-60 customers. So after all this time and with huge funding, how is this increased customer miracle going to happen? I’m told that PPD have also taken on board producers from outside the county. When PPD were challenged with this they said that they didn’t have enough variety of producers in Pembrokeshire. Fair enough, but in that case why would anyone involved in the initial planning of this venture not know that fact before they went for funding? So why press forward with a name of Pembrokeshire Produce Direct when they know they cannot source entirely from Pembrokeshire? Whose decision was that?  

Now the latest plan from PPD is to ‘ask’ its producers to bring in at least 2 new regular customers by end of January. They also want some of them to sort out their pricing structure so that PPD customers are not penalised or overcharged by shopping with PPD. Again something I would have thought would have been sorted out years ago. PPD also want to offer more promotions on occasional highlighted products or special themed packs, and will also look at ideas from producers too. PPD also want the producers to remember, promote and also to push PPD, well that’s what they’d like the producers to do on top of running their own businesses.

So what are PPD doing over and above what they should be doing anyway? Well they’re funding a £5.00 voucher which will be given out with Xmas orders and is valid for on orders for 5th or 12th January. They are also talking about a free delivery fortnight again in January to target new customers and reward loyal ones. Well that seems to be it if I’m understanding all this latest news correctly, put more onto the producers. I’m not sure at this late stage in the business plan how this is actually going to generate much more trade for them. Its fine for PPD to shift work work/effort onto producers but unless I have got it completely wrong I cannot see PPD being the main core of any producer’s business and therefore it is never going to be a priority. As a complete outsider, I’d like to have seen PPD doing much, much more and as the business seems in such dire straights, have any staff been made redundant or any salaries reduced?  

As they reach the end of the line, PPD are not left with many options. I’ve been told a few times that PPD are considering going cap-in-hand to Wag or trying that same tack with Pembrokeshire Country Council. If either of those avenues is used there will be an enormous uproar if this business is supported once again from the public purse. This is yet another well-propped up business that is failing to deliver on all counts. How much of that is down to a poor intial business idea, or an ill-thought out plan, or staff unable to deliver what was needed, there’s much food for thought but time does seem to be running away from this project.

Love to hear your thoughts.

 
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Producer Feedback On Cardiff Bay Waterfront Christmas Market

22 Nov

Rumours are flying fast today as I hear of another Christmas Fair that was unable to emulate the success of  Landeilo Christmas Festival of Senses would made massive efforts on the same weekend. Producers have  been giving me an update on the Cardiff event, which took place from Thursday 17th – Sunday 20th

Thursday and Friday ran from midday until 8.00pm, with Saturday running for 10.00 – until 9.00pm and Sunday 10.00 – 6.00pm, long hours but traders don’t mind that if they are taking plenty of cash. Well to do take lots of cash, you need lots of customers and sadly Production 78, who I’m told were the organisers, were unable to deliver on that front. Result was that trade was absolutely appalling. With tempers fraying as traders not only wasted time, money and often fresh stock, they were looking at what appears to be broken promises of live music, street theatre, craft workshops and Father Christmas, instead they got a school choir and canned music with the same cd being played continuously. They were also told that there would be marketing and advertising behind this event. But as a journalists and publisher- with a huge interest in food – I only knew about this event because one of our Best Of Welsh & Borders producers told me about it. Not a single press release did I receive – so not much marketing there guys! Now if this wasn’t bad enough, I am told that traders had to pay £1,000 for their stands which I’m think it is on a par with the high prices charged by The Royal Welsh, but in fairness to the RWAS they can always get the punters in.

What continues to annoy and puzzle me about organisers is that they appear to pluck a tradestand price out of the air and haven’t the slightest thought as to what profit margins our food producers can actually work on.             

Wag are not at fault on this one, they are blameless as they didn’t put any of our hard-earned money into this event. But not blaming Wag doesn’t make me feel any better, another poor event is not the news I wish to hear. In some ways I’m sorry I didn’t attend Cardiff to see for myself waht actually went on. But I’m sure I’ll get further feedback as the week goes on as I know quite a few of our Best Of Welsh & Borders producers were in attendance .

 
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Welshfoodbites Versus True Taste TV – Website Rankings

17 Jun

 As of today, our rankings for welshfoodbites is @ 303,880 – source Alexa Rankings over a 3 month period, whilst Wag’s True Taste TV is way down below us @ 2,111,071.

If I were Wag Food, I’d be very concerned, especially after they took down their other food website, Wales the True Taste, WTT, on 1st April. Sorry but can’t resist the April Fools Day parody, because who with any computer web know-how, would pull down a website? Had no-one thought about working behind the original site? I’m amazed and horrified that nearly 3 months later, WTT is still not back up and running. So the difficult question for you is, any idea who is doing the re-build? Mmmmmmm, well that didn’t take long, so well done you smart people – you’re right – Wag are doing it themselves!

Now though, back to rankings. The traffic from WTT has been re-directed to Wag’s other food website, True Taste TV, which I assumed would have had twice the traffic through, especially as they have been asking for True Taste entries via the website, but why are their rankings still so poor for a site that has been running for what seems like forever. If Wag Food were a business, this would not be acceptable and could not continue, but I’m talking about the real world guys, aren’t I?    

Wag should be horrified with both their food website performances. Mind you, I’m sure deep down, they are impressed with our welshfoodbites rankings, they just don’t want to make a fuss about it!

So can I just send my thanks to you for your support, not just for welshfoodbites but for Welsh Country magazine too. We are making a huge difference, despite the many Wag barriers we have to knock down to get anywhere.

 
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Success For Welsh Food At Smallholder

23 May

Congratualtions to Steve Shearman from Farmer’s Markets in Wales, who put on a great show in the old Food Hall at the Smallholder show this weekend. As already posted, I had expected to find the producers in the new Food Hall, but was relieved to find that sector busy and some relatively producers on Sunday when I visited.

What really made me very angry was the fact that this event received no funding from the WAG, the Welsh Assembly Government.  I’ve no idea who told me, but I knew that Steve attended the festival organisers meeting in February, but I couldn’t work out why. The funding for this event has not, to my knowledge, ever come from Wag’s festival funded budget.  If I’m wrong, then it’s been left of the list I have received from Wag for the last four years. So as this funding has always come from another budget, which budget was it from? My next question is why has this funding been withdrawn and who made that decision?

I’m not sure whether you would label this event as a Food Festival or a Farmer’s Market, but the label is irrelevant. What is relevant and is very important, is that thisevent was actually a celebration of Welsh food at its best and surely this is what Wag (Food) should be promoting.  This year Wag’s criteria for festivals they are supporting is that they ‘will have food activity as the core. Therefore events such as Agricultural Shows with a food hall or events that use a food hall as an additional attraction will not normally be eligible’. What normally be eligible means must qualify as ‘Wag speak’ which makes us none the wiser…………….so can anyone clarify that statement please. I feel that maybe it means that Wag will continue to do as is pleases, regradless of the consequences.

As an example of my confusion, can I remind you that I attended Saundersfoot in March this year and counted 18 food stands, plus a cookery demo area and 9 craft stands. This festival got funding again this year, around £8k, but according to Wag they should have had 20 food producers. Did anyone attned from Wag and if so does that mean this funding is now reduced? Saundersfoot have also been awarded funding for 2012 but with a lesser amount of £5,006.35.

But back to the Smallholder event which had over 40 of our best producers on show, got no financial support at all, due to Wag’s change of criteria. Wag’s other big push as far as food festivals are concerned, is that huge prominence is made of True Taste Food and Drink Awards winners. I won’t bore you again with my views on True Taste, but check out my post on 22nd November and let me know what you think. The financial headache that no funding caused this event meant that stand prices had to be doubled, bad news for the producers in this economic climate, but there was absolutely no choice if this was to go ahead. I cannot imagine the Smallholder without Steve Shearman’s market and our offering to our visitors is bog-standard fast food vans with little if any local  food.

This event was a success despite Wag’s childish behavouir, they even had a covered area on one side where Steve had put seating so people could enjoy some great coffee, food, ice-cream and a chance to rest and chat with family and friends.

Carwyn Jones, our First Minister says, “I am delighted the Welsh Assembly Government has been able to continue to support food and drink festivals across Wales.”

Well Mr Jones and Wag, I’m not happy that I don’t understand what has happened to the Smallholder funding and why Wag (Food) don’t put their onus on Welsh food first and True Taste second – if you can improve the standard and variety of local producers you’ll of course improve the entries for the True Taste. Please explain to me why this event had to run without financial support from Wag bearing in mind RWAS say 26,026 attended over the two days. This is yet another instance where Wag need to wake-up and understand what is actually happening in Wales with our food producers.

 
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Food Festival Funding News

09 May

News began trickling in from some festival organisers on Friday that they’d received official written notification of their funding from the Welsh Assembly Government, WAG Food.

We’d calls and emails in with relief that at last they could move forward, but some were still angry that they have been left waiting so long for this notification of their funding and the additional pressure it has put on their teams. When most food festivals are run by volunteers this is simply unfair and unnecessary and I have nothing but sympathy for them but at least I know that everyone here at Welsh Country magazine has done everything possible to obtain this information and an explanation as to why it has taken so long.    

Thanks for those that have kept us in-the-loop with this latest festival news.

 
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Food Festival Request Via Freedom Of Information Act

06 May

I think in the my dim and distant past, that I won a Girl Guide badge for endurance, so  do you think the Welsh Assembly Government Food, (WAG),  might like to consider awarding me something similar whilst I continue to ask for a list of food festivals they are supporting this year? For those of you that aren’t up-to-date, the WAG Food press office promised to send me their list at end of March - I’m still waiting – although not patiently. The WAG Food press office have now taken the decision not to answer any of my questions - in case I blog them! I’m not sure how many times I need to explain to them that I’m only resorting to blogging because they are not giving me the information I ask for as a journalist.  I’m now waiting for an offical response from WAG Food before I decide what to do next.

But back to the food festival listing request. With another failure with WAG press office, my next option was the Freedom Of Information Act and I submitted two food festival questions to them on 14th April. On the 4th May, I got an acknowledgement from WAG Food saying they had received my request on 15th April and that I could expect a reply by 17th May…………………………..

Well I shall look forward to that, but can WAG really believe they are serving the public with this sort of sloppy, laid-back service? I do not believe for an instant that this information isn’t available, as a food festival organiser has told me they should get to hear today, 6th May, on how much funding they will receive. So if that information is correct,  and it is because this festival organiser has just rung and told me how much they are getting. So why do I have to wait until the 17th May? Are WAG Food, like their press office too busy to respond to me any quicker than this, or is it that Welsh Country doesn’t matter?  

  

 

 
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