Sarah has a passion for food and drink, especially knowing where it comes from and how it is produced. Being brought up on a family farm in North Pembrokeshire, being involved in the production of lamb and beef from an early age. Graduating from Harper Adams, working somewhere along the food chain has always been her ambition. Previously working for DEFRA before joining Lantra in 2005, working on the delivery of various Welsh Government funded projects.
We organised a quick catch up with Sarah to hear her advise for hopeful entrants and her view on the future challenges within the industry.
How did you find your passion in this industry?
As a child growing up on a beef and sheep farm, knowing where food comes from and understanding the product journey from farm to fork has always been important to me. Through my current role within the Food Skills Cymru project, I get to support lots of amazing manufacturing businesses throughout Wales, which is very rewarding, especially when I am in a shop, or a restaurant and I see products from the businesses I work with, that’s when I realise I love my job!
What key advice would you give to a company entering the awards?
No two businesses are the same, remember to promote what is unique about your business.
What future challenges do you see for Welsh food and drink businesses?
Labour shortages are a real issue for a lot of businesses, and I don’t think this is going to go away. Businesses need to consider how automation, no matter how small, can provide a solution for them. Work smarter, not harder.
