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Devon Food Partnership Newsletter
January 2024
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SPF Agri-Events
 Devon County Council has been commissioned by four District Councils to deliver a programme of agri-events across Mid Devon, East Devon, West Devon, and the South Hams.
Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, these events will support and engage local farmers and develop the Devon Agri-Tech Alliance. Each workshop will focus on topics tailored to the needs of farmers in each District such as diversification, sustainable practices, and conservation.
The first event for Mid Devon farmers will focus on alternative routes to market, including food hub and direct to customer models. Hear from knowledgeable speakers who will share their experiences and provide practical tips on marketing, sales, and distribution of farm produce. This event will take place on Thursday 22 February at Pipers Farm, Cullompton.
Stay up to date about all upcoming agri-events by signing up to the Devon Agri-Tech Alliance newsletter.
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Naturesave Trust grants available for food projects
Grants of £2,500 to £5,000 are available from the Naturesave Trust for projects that restore the environment, promote conservation, and encourage sustainable communities.
The funding comes from the premiums generated by Naturesave Insurance, an ethical insurance provider based in Totnes, and the Trust is keen to support Devon-based projects.
The theme for the current round of applications is food. Charities, social enterprises, voluntary organisations, and small businesses are invited to apply for funding for projects relating to food waste, food scarcity, or food banks, for example.
Apply for Naturesave Trust funding for your food project
South Hams and West Devon Agri-Innovation programme reopens for applications
Applications have reopened for the Agri-Innovation Programme for farmers in the South Hams and West Devon.
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.
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 actions to develop and deliver an innovation plan.
Expressions of interest must be submitted by Wednesday 31 January.
Register your interest in the Agri-Innovation Programme
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Research reveals the national impact of food partnerships
A recent report, produced by the University of the West of England and Sustainable Food Places, has revealed the impact that food partnerships are having across the country.
Over 70 food partnerships took part in a survey over the summer to provide insight into partnership activity, organisation, funding, and priorities.
The report finds that food partnerships are now widespread in the UK and have made strong progress on a range of activities, particularly relating to food governance and strategy. Food partnerships are also identified as key to driving the transition to long-term, resilient, empowering approaches to household food insecurity.
Read the full Remaking Local Food Systems report
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Plymouth food insecurity initiative awarded vital funding
Plymouth Food Cooperative Connections have been awarded £252,500 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to host food support schemes that help address cost-of-living issues around the city.
Cooperative Connections is part of a city-wide approach to addressing issues of food insecurity. The project includes six new food co-operatives, two social supermarkets, a food transport vehicle, and small-scale food manufacturing.
This work will take place alongside the Plymouth Food Security Collective initiative which hopes to bulk-buy and distribute foodstuffs to food support work across the city. This is part of shift away from food aid to a Food Alliance model with an emphasis on wrap-around support.
Find out more about Cooperative Connections’ food insecurity work in Plymouth
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Applications open for new £4 million fund to support smaller abattoirs
The government’s Smaller Abattoir Fund has been launched to provide grants to smaller red meat and poultry abattoirs in England.
Small abattoirs play an important role in maintaining food security and providing local, competitive routes to market for farmers. However, there has been a significant decline in the number of small abattoirs in recent years.
The Smaller Abattoir Fund will award capital grants from £2,000 up to a maximum of £60,000 to help support smaller abattoirs across England improve productivity, enhance animal health and welfare, add value to primary products, and encourage innovation and investment in new technologies.
Read more about the Smaller Abattoir fund
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Aiming for net zero in food & farming – what are the wins and trade-offs? | Wednesday 17 January
The next webinar from the Agri-Food for Net-Zero Network+ will explore what net-zero means for food and farming. Hear from Dr Pete Falloon, who leads the Met Office’s Climate Service for Defra on Food, Farming and Natural Environment, about the wins, trade-offs, and challenges around climate adaptation and mitigation. The webinar will run from 10:00-11:00.
Register your place at the next AFN+ Network webinar
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Mole Valley Farmer Expo | Wednesday 31 January
Join Mole Valley farmers for their inaugural Farmer Expo event at the Matford Centre, Exeter. The Expo will provide a platform for farmers to meet with over 50 of the industry's leading manufacturers and suppliers. The day will also include a seminar programme with expert speakers covering the latest industry developments and specialist topics including nutrition, soil management, and reducing farm carbon footprints.
Register for the Mole Valley Farmer Expo
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Rootstock: Devon’s Future Farming Conference | Wednesday 14 February
Rootstock is a one-day conference for South West farmers focused on resilient, profitable, regenerative farming. Sessions will feature a mixture of speakers including both researchers and farmers to explore regenerative approaches and the latest technical developments. The conference is organised by the Devon County Agricultural Association and will be hosted at Westpoint, Exeter.
Buy your tickets to the Rootstock farming conference
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Exeter Food Presents: Jake Fiennes – Balancing Food Security and Self-Sufficiency for a better Environment | Monday 22 February
Join Exeter Food as they welcome Jake Fiennes, Director of Conservation at the Holkham Estate, Norfolk and author of Land Healer: How Farming Can Save Britain’s Countryside. The talk will focus on how to balance the competing pressures on land use in rural landscapes. The talk will be held both in person and online from 18:30.
Register your attendance at the next Exeter Food talk
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