A highly anticipated new café on Bangor High Street has opened its doors in the city centre.
Building on the success of projects elsewhere, Bwyd Da Bangor combines a membership-based food share programme, re-distributing surplus supermarket stock, with a high-quality training café.
Bwyd Da Bangor is an innovative initiative made possible by a range of partners that aims to address a number of key themes, whilst creating a go-to location in the city centre.
The café, will be run by staff who are coming through the Penrhyn House rehabilitation centre or those who are currently living in supported accommodation in Bangor. Receiving training through Coleg Menai, these individuals will receive support and qualifications to gain access into long-term employment.
James Deakin, Penrhyn House Manager and Founder stated “Everyone at Penrhyn House and North Wales communities (NWRC) is delighted to be involved in this innovative and collaborative project.
“Through Bwyd Da, we are now able to help address issues of food poverty within our wider local community. We are able to forward a ‘greener’ agenda close to our own hearts and also provide training and employment opportunities for individuals in recovery from addiction.
“This project is a real reflection of the pride that we have in our community and our hope is that it can become a focal point for music, arts, food growing etc – the possibilities are endless.”
The official opening gave all agencies involved in the development and funding of the project an opportunity to meet some of the individuals who will benefit from the project and to taste some of the food produced.
Councillor Craig ab Iago, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Property said:
“I was so happy to visit Bwyd Da Bangor to see this fantastic venue first-hand. The principles behind this project are truly inspiring, from the food share programme, reducing food waste and locally home-grown produce, to the employment and training opportunities for individuals, many of whom are supported by our homelessness teams.
“We are facing a climate emergency and a housing emergency here in Gwynedd, and the positive work of Penrhyn House and Bwyd Da Bangor to address those issues on a local level and is an inspiration to us all. I wish everyone involved all the best of luck with this exciting new venture.”
Bwyd Da Bangor addresses a number of priority areas, including:
- Supporting food production and reducing the carbon footprint;
- Alleviating food poverty;
- Helping to eradicate food waste;
- Contributing to the economic regeneration of Bangor city centre;
- Creating employment;
- Helping individuals move on from homelessness;
- Supporting individuals coming through drug and alcohol rehabilitation;
- Creating volunteering opportunities.
Glynne Roberts, from Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board added: “Bwyd Da Bangor is an excellent example of what can be achieved through innovative partnership working. The development underpins the Health Board’s desire to tackle health inequalities, and we are proud to be associated with such an incredible project.”
Bwyd Da Bangor has received financial support from Welsh Government, Gwynedd Council, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the Steve Morgan Foundation, as well as North Wales Housing and Adra (Tai) Cyfyngedig. These contributions have helped to create a unique scheme that will help a number of individuals and families, and will build on existing partnership arrangements to ensure that food poverty and homelessness prevention are at the forefront of the programme’s future developments.
Bwyd Da Bangor is open for business from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 5pm.