PARCELS which include local food produce are continuing to be delivered to 900 shielding residents in Ceredigion each week.

Ceredigion County Council is the first county in Wales to receive approval to fully coordinate the shielding scheme locally.

This is an initiative by Welsh Government offering shielded residents the option to receive weekly food parcels if they do not have family or friends who can support them with shopping, during COVID-19.

The scheme is now in its 10th week, but since May 4, Ceredigion has been able to secure full ownership of the content and quality of the food parcels.

This ensures that produce is supplied by local suppliers and that the parcels are packed and delivered to communities by Ceredigion County Council drivers.

The council has been able to source the content from local suppliers, Castell Howell and Jones & Davies Fruit and Veg Ltd.

Each week, Ceredigion’s catering team and Food Centre Wales, which has a hub at Horeb, carefully source various food items through these local suppliers to ensure that parcels are varied but continue to offer high quality nutritional value.

Ceredigion has worked tirelessly to ensure as many Welsh products as possible are included in the parcels. These include Welsh milk, potatoes, waffles, eggs, onions, chutney, crisps, bara brith and oatcakes.

In addition, Ceredigion has now secured the facilities to include chilled products for residents. Parcels can now also include Welsh cheese, butter and bacon.

Elen James, corporate lead officer – Porth Cymorth Cynnar, community wellbeing and learning says: “It has been a tremendous team effort within Ceredigion County Council to ensure that our most vulnerable residents are supported and protected from the risk of Coronavirus.

“Teams across the local authority have been responsible for pulling together the scheme. We are pleased to hear so much positive feedback regarding the local scheme, and this makes it wholly worthwhile.

“We feel that it is important, in these times, to support local producers and suppliers where possible, and the local scheme allows us to do just that.”

One shielded resident says: “I must take this opportunity to thank you as a county council for your continued support to us as vulnerable residents currently shielding.

“At a time like this, I am extremely proud to live in Ceredigion, and your support during this pandemic, from food parcels to the welfare call, will not be forgotten. The quality and content of the weekly package is of the highest quality, with a range of Welsh produce.”