|
Devon Food Partnership Newsletter
September 2023
Hello and welcome to the September 2023 Devon Food Partnership newsletter!
This month, we have added a new ‘Spotlight’ section to highlight and celebrate the work of a particular organisation, project, or initiative in Devon’s food system each month. This month’s organisation is Okehampton Community Kitchen. Read on to find out more.
If you would like your organisation's work to be included in a future newsletter, or have any other suggestions, please get in touch:
|
|
Okehampton Community Kitchen
Okehampton Community Kitchen is a Community Interest Company dedicated to nourishing lives and fostering strong, resilient communities by sharing food.
Based in the heart of Okehampton but covering a wide rural area, the Community Kitchen provides essential support, nutritious meals, and cooking resources to individuals facing challenges such as disability, loss of income, end-of-life care, or sudden life changes.
This includes distributing energy-efficient slow cookers, recipe kits, and fresh ingredients to those facing food insecurity, complemented by cooking workshops to teach essential cooking skills and promote healthier eating habits. The Community Kitchen also provides high-quality catering and weekend takeaway services, creating local job and volunteering opportunities.
In recognition of its work, Okehampton Community Kitchen won the 2023 FSB South West Community Award earlier this year.
Okehampton Community Kitchen believes that sharing food is a catalyst for positive change and aims to foster a sense of belonging, unity, resilience, and empowerment among community members by creating a supportive network that goes beyond immediate food provision.
|
|
New support for innovative farmers in West Devon and the South Hams
 Devon County Council, working with the South Hams and West Devon District Councils, has launched a new programme to support farm businesses in West Devon and the South Hams to improve their productivity through regenerative farming methods.
The Agri-innovation Programme, which is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered with Business Information Point (BIP), aims to help farm businesses maximise their potential through regenerative and innovative practices which promote healthy soil and reduce carbon emissions.
Support will be provided to 20 farms in the South Hams and 20 in West Devon. The scheme is seeking farmers who are open to and enthusiastic about embracing new ideas, methods, equipment, and processes. They will be supported to identify their farm’s unique potential, viable opportunities, and undertake whatever actions are needed to develop and deliver an Innovation Plan.
Expressions of interest applications are now closed for the Agri-Innovation programme due to high demand, but will reopen on Monday 25 September.
Read more about the support available under the Agri-innovation Programme.
Devon Community Foundation project explores new approaches to food insecurity in North Devon
Devon Community Foundation (DCF) have been awarded £97,000 from phase two of the UKRI’s Community Knowledge Fund. This grant will enable DCF to continue and expand their work in North Devon exploring new approaches to food insecurity with young people and food producers.
Phase one of the North Devon project took place over the summer and involved facilitating a farm visit for young people to learn more about using local produce. DCF, working with the Town Council and local foodbank, also ran two events in Barnstaple to engage with local residents facing food insecurity.
Read the final phase one project report and watch the project film.
|
Landowners offered grants to support creation and maintenance of woodland and orchards
The Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest supports landowners to realise their woodland creation ambitions – helping to address climate change, improve the environment, and benefit local communities for generations to come.
A variety of planting projects are eligible for funding including agroforestry, wood pasture, orchards, and natural regeneration. To find out more and apply, email: PSDF@plymouth.gov.uk.
Read more about the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest project.
|
Tamar Valley Food Hubs celebrates its 10-year anniversary
Tamar Valley Food Hubs has marked its ten-year anniversary with a public celebration of local food. Attendants enjoyed a day of activities including apple pressing, a gardeners’ question time, and a local produce market.
Run by Tamar Grow Local, Tamar Valley Food Hubs is an online farmers’ market which brings together the best local and seasonal produce. Customers can order fresh produce to be delivered direct to their door or collect for free from a variety of collection points.
Find out more about what Tamar Valley Food Hubs has to offer.
|
|
|
Taste East Devon Festival | Saturday 9 September to Sunday 25 September
|
East Devon’s renowned producers, chefs, restaurants, and venues have joined forces to present the Taste East Devon Festival. A series of ticketed and free events across East Devon will be running throughout September including brewery open days, seafood tasting experiences, barbecues, and parties.
Find out what's happening at the Taste East Devon Festival.
|
|
 |
England’s Seafood Feast | Friday 29 September to Sunday 15 October
|
England's Seafood Feast is returning to Torbay this year, where you will be able to immerse yourself in eating some of the best seafood in the world. A whole range of locally landed and caught fish and seafood will be presented at over 30 eateries across Brixham, Paignton, and Torquay, with more events coming soon.
Find out what's going on at England's Seafood Feast.
|
|
 |
Powderham Food Festival | Saturday 7 October to Sunday 8 October
|
Powderham Castle’s annual food festival is returning for a weekend of fabulous food and drink. Visitors will be able to sample some of the best food and drink the region has to offer as well as take part in activities including tastings, cooking demos, live music, and more. And best of all, admissions this year are free!
Book your free tickets to the Powderham Food Festival.
|
|
 |
Dartmouth Food Festival | Friday 20 October to Sunday 22 October
|
Since starting in 2004, Dartmouth Food Festival has grown to become a first-class feast of entertainment featuring workshops, seminars, tastings, competitions, demonstrations, and over 100 hand-picked exhibitors, many of which are from Devon. The festival is now a landmark event on the culinary calendar and free for anyone to attend.
Book your free tickets to the Dartmouth Food Festival.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
