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Devon Food Partnership Newsletter
November 2023
Hello and welcome to the November 2023 Devon Food Partnership newsletter!
This month, in addition to the usual spotlight, news, and events, we share an exciting Partnership update. Read on to find out more.
As ever, we're keen to continually improve this newsletter. So, if you have any feedback or suggestions, please get in touch:
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Devon wins Sustainable Food Places Bronze Award
We’re delighted to announce that Devon has won a Sustainable Food Places Bronze Award!
The award recognises the work of the Devon Food Partnership to promote healthy, sustainable, and local food, and to tackle some of today’s greatest social challenges; from household food insecurity and diet-related ill-health to the pressures faced by family farms and independent food retailers.
This Sustainable Food Places Award is a national, evidence-based recognition and celebration of places taking a joined-up, holistic approach to sustainable and healthy food. Awardees have demonstrated activity and impact across their food system by the food partnership and their stakeholders to create a local ‘Good Food Movement’. This is a recognition of the excellent work of the food partnership and of stakeholders across the area.
A big thank you and well done to everyone within the Partnership and wider Devon food system for making this possible!
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Shillingford Organics
Based on the edge of Exeter, Shillingford Organics grow a wide range of organic vegetables, salads, and fruit to supply customers in Exeter and the surrounding areas year round. With the extensive use of green manures and wildlife habitats, Shillingford’s soils are continuously increasing in organic matter and biodiversity is flourishing, allowing them to grow vibrant produce without any chemicals or artificial fertilisers.
Shillingford Organics also grow top fruit in agroforestry systems and have two flocks of chickens for eggs. With wonderful south facing slopes with beautiful red soils, they have now been organic for 23 years.
Local customers can purchase Shillingford Organics’ produce through their veg box scheme and at farmers’ market stalls at Exeter, Topsham, Crediton, and Teignmouth, with direct retail eliminating the need for most packaging and refrigeration. They also supply a few independent shops, restaurants, and other box schemes, and sell outsize and ‘wonky’ produce to local processors and caterers, reducing unnecessary food waste.
There are also opportunities for the local community to get involved with on farm events and school visits, as well as a ‘Farm School’ for younger children to have a connection with the farm and its produce.
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Good Food Loop launches its new website
The Good Food Loop is a not-for-profit wholesaler bringing together sustainable producers and like-minded business customers across the South West.
By working collaboratively with agroecological producers, food hubs, retailers, and the hospitality industry, they are forming a resilient, not-for-profit food network, keeping supply chains short and adopting a zero-waste model.
Visitors to the new website can see the current delivery area, find out more about producers selling through the Good Food Loop, and read the latest news.
Take a look at the new Good Food Loop website
Devon Community Foundation opens applications for Food, Fuel & More grants
Devon Community Foundation are working with Devon County Council to provide Food, Fuel and More grants this winter.
Grants are available for community groups working with households who find it challenging to access support elsewhere.
Funding is aimed at helping those who are struggling to afford food, energy, and water bills and other related essentials.
Both small grants (£1,000-£2,000) and larger grants (£2,000-£25,000) are available.
Read more and apply for a Food, Fuel & More grant
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Free Wellbeing Webinars for farmers in the Great South West
The Wellbeing Webinar series, running on the first Thursday of every month until April 2024, focuses on some of the challenges faced by the farming community.
The webinars are being delivered through the Heart of the South West’s Trading Standards’ Rural Support and Wellbeing project, which raises awareness of the rural support services available to the farming community.
Part of the DEFRA-funded Future Farming Resilience programme, support is free and available to farmers and land managers across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, and Dorset.
The next webinar is on Thursday 9 December, 18:00-20:00, and will be themed around the cost of living.
View upcoming webinars and register your place
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Extension of free training for in-demand job roles
Around 400 more free training places are being offered through the Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps after Devon County Council secured an additional £900,000 for its programme.
Aimed at adults aged 19 and over, the flexible, short courses run for up to 16 weeks, delivering skills training across a variety of priority sectors. Over 30 courses are currently recruiting for learners, including in Regenerative Farming, Hospitality, and Ecology.
Find out more about the Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps
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Clovelly Herring Festival | Sunday 19 November
The Clovelly Herring Festival is an opportunity to celebrate and promote herring as a tasty, nutritious fish while also supporting sustainable fishing. On the quay, kitchens will serve a variety of delicious herring specialities along with other local food and drink stalls.
Find out more about the Clovelly Herring Festival
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The Big Exeter Feast | Thursday 23 November
The Big Exeter Feast, organised by Exeter Connect, is a conference exploring how to make food more accessible, affordable, healthier, sustainable, and celebrated within the City. In the run up to the day, Exeter Connect will be supporting groups, individuals, networks, and organisations to run a series events, workshops, and sessions.
Read more about the Big Exeter Feast
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Personalised Nutrition for Metabolic Health | Tuesday 28 November
Sustain Annual Conference | Tuesday 7 December
Join Sustain for their annual conference focused on making food and farming a priority in the 2024 Local and General Elections. Hear insight from experts and campaigners who have pioneered local food transformation. The conference will take place online from 14:00 to 17:00.
Register your place at the Sustain Annual Conference
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