A project is offering £10,000 grants to businesses and community groups to develop local food supply chains.

The Food4Growth programme in Monmouthshire, Torfaen, and Caerphilly has two grant schemes available, aimed at increasing the amount of locally-produced food, creating new food networks and offering a sustainable solution to food poverty.

The Rural Business Scheme is open to businesses who have innovative ideas to add value to their produce, such as diversifying or looking at new processes like vertical growing.

The Community Food Scheme is open to third sector organisations, community groups or public sector services with ideas of new ways to tackle food poverty, such as growing fresh produce or linking with local welfare services.

There are grants available for 12 businesses and nine community groups from across Torfaen, Caerphilly and Monmouthshire.

The Food4Growth project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund.

Applications to both schemes can apply for up to £10,000 to develop their idea.

Please note the deadline for applications is February 21, with a project end date of June 2022.

For more information in Monmouthshire and an application pack, please contact Deserie Mansfield, Rural Development Food Development Officer on 01633 644319 or email [email protected]