2. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Education and Welsh Language regarding the sourcing of local produce for school meals? OQ57003

The Welsh Government is progressing a foundational economy policy, of which food is an integral part. Cabinet colleagues and I regularly discuss linkages between our portfolios and the wider procurement of local produce. Local authorities and schools are responsible for purchasing food for school meals and procuring from agreed suppliers.

Thank you, Minister. In the interests of lowering carbon emissions, procuring local produce for school meals would help towards the Welsh Government's targets and obviously help tackle climate change. I'd be grateful if you could outline how the Welsh Government is working with local authorities to understand, monitor, measure, assess how much local produce is being used in school meals and where it comes from.

Thank you. We obviously recognise the very clear benefits of procuring local produce in terms of issues, and that includes food miles, which, obviously, would play into the significant part of your question. I also think if you use local produce, it helps children and young people really connect with their local environment too. There are a couple of local authorities that are working very hard in this area. I know Caerphilly County Borough Council and I think Carmarthenshire County Council are currently looking at the way we procure food, and, obviously, the monitoring of the carbon emissions would be part of that work going forward. Sorry, it was Monmouthshire, as well, that are really working hard in this area. But, again, this wouldn't really sit within my portfolio, but I will ensure that if there is any further information that the Minister responds.