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Devon Food Partnership Newsletter
December 2023
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Made in Devon
If you’re looking to support local and independent sellers this Christmas, why not visit the Made in Devon Christmas gift page?
Made in Devon businesses are Trading Standards Approved, so you can shop knowing you’re supporting trustworthy, Devon-proud businesses that are committed to supporting other local businesses in Devon.
A wide range of local businesses are members of the scheme, including artisan food and drink producers. Many members are also dedicated to being environmentally conscious, actively seeking to reduce their environmental impact.
By choosing to support and shop local, you can be confident that you are making a positive impact on your community and the planet.
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Food stakeholders unite at the Big Exeter Feast
More than 80 people from Exeter’s Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector and local food businesses came together on Thursday 23 November at the Big Exeter Feast conference to explore how food can be made more accessible, affordable, healthier, sustainable, and celebrated in Exeter.
The conference, organised by Exeter Community Initiatives’ Exeter Connect project, discussed what an integrated and eco-food system in Exeter might look like and what partnerships, local groups, and organisations can do to turn the vision into a reality.
Ideas, notes, and feedback from the day are being collated and will be used to inform future work, partnerships, and collaborations.
Visit the Exeter Connect website
Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Adaptation Strategy launched
The Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (DCIoS) Climate Adaptation Strategy will help ensure the region makes the changes needed to cope with the effects of climate change.
The Strategy details the risks the region might face in future as climate change increasingly affects the UK and identifies how we can adapt to these changes. This includes impacts on food security and agri-food systems and priority actions to address these.
The publication of the Strategy comes after a public consultation earlier in the summer where 76% of respondents expressed concern about climate change and 69% said they have felt the effects of climate change already.
Read the full DCIoS Climate Adaptation Strategy
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Government sets out new package of nature pledges
Ahead of COP28, the Government announced a new package of measures aimed at tackling climate change, nature recovery, and improving public access to the natural world.
As part of the Government’s Environmental Land Management farming schemes (ELMs), 34 new Landscape Recovery Projects have been announced. In total, these projects will cover over 200,000 hectares of land and include projects on Exmoor and Dartmoor.
Additional measures include a new plan to recover England’s temperate rainforests, the search for a new National Park in England, and the renaming of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) to National Landscapes to reflect their wider significance for food production, biodiversity, and tackling climate change.
Read more about the Government’s nature announcements
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Devon’s District Councils offer Shared Prosperity and Rural Prosperity grant and support schemes
As part of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda, Devon’s District Councils have been allocated a share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to invest in communities and to support local businesses, people, and skills.
Additionally, Councils have been allocated a share of the Rural England Prosperity Fund focused on improving productivity and strengthening rural economies and communities.
Each Council is offering a different programme of support and grants tailored to local priorities. Check your local Council’s website for details:
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Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market | Friday 17 November to Sunday 17 December
Devon’s largest Christmas market returns to Exeter’s Cathedral Green for another year. With over 100 festive chalets, there’s something for everyone, including international street food and fantastic Westcountry produce. Entry to Exeter Cathedral is also free during the market.
Read more about the Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market
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‘The undeserving poor’: Why food system transformation is middle class | Wednesday 13 December
Join the Agri-Food for Net Zero Network for their latest webinar exploring how those with lived experience of poverty, food insecurity, and inequality can be given an equal voice in conversations about food system transformation. Hear first-hand insight from campaigner, speaker, and author Dominic Walters. The webinar will take place from 10:00 to 11:00.
Register your place at the next AFN Network+ webinar
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Oxford Real Farming Conference 2024 | Thursday 4 to Friday 5 January
Join the Oxford Real Farming Conference to celebrate 15 years of bringing the food and farming movement together. This year’s two-day online programme offers 45 sessions livestreamed from Oxford covering a wide range of topics including agroecology, regenerative agriculture, organic farming, indigenous food and farming systems, and more.
Book your online tickets to the Oxford Real Farming Conference
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The future of food hubs and ethical supply chains | Tuesday 23 January
Join Sustain’s Bridging the Gap programme for an online discussion about how food hubs, ethical wholesalers, and supply chains might be supported to enable access to climate and nature friendly food for all. In this online talk, running from 11:00 to 12:00, hear from experts about what’s needed to make organic food accessible to all.
Register your place at the next Bridging the Gap online talk
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