Swansea-based Panini Ltd is to supply every state-run hospital and school in Wales in a new contract worth £5m.

The family-run chilled and frozen food manufacturer, based in Fforestfach, has won the first ever contract to supply chilled foods to all public bodies in the country.

The deal with the Welsh Government’s National Procurement Service (NPS), means the firm will supply hospitals and schools with healthy sandwiches, salads and gluten-free snacks for the next four years.

Panini’s already caters for hospitals elsewhere in the UK. Giovanni Amieni, managing director of Panini’s, said: “It has always amazed me that our food is so readily accepted by hospitals all over the UK, while we sell so little in Wales.”

The sandwiches, sandwich fillings and salads will be made under the Panini’s brand to specifications from dietitians to ensure calorie content, fat, salt and sugar levels are tailored to patients’ and pupils’ needs

The company bakes its own bread on Fforestfach Industrial Estate and will open a gluten-free bakery on-site in the New Year.