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Devon Food Partnership Newsletter
March 2024
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The Face of Food Insecurity in Devon: A Qualitative Study
A new report has explored the experiences of those facing food insecurity in Devon and has illustrated how this has now become an endemic issue impacting a broad range of people in the county.
The Face of Food Insecurity in Devon: A Qualitative Study was commissioned by Devon County Council’s Public Health team and managed by Devon Community Foundation. It was produced as a counterpart to the Food and Fuel Insecurity in Devon survey-based research published in 2023.
The new study found that the profile of those experiencing food insecurity has broadened significantly over recent years, with many households experiencing food insecurity for the first time. There has also been an increase in the number of working people facing food insecurity.
Findings from the study will be used by local councils and VCSE organisations to help shape food support.
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Support Generous Earth’s community composting in Plymouth
Generous Earth is a composting project set up to create a network of local community composters in Plymouth that can turn food waste into healthy living compost. The project supports local organisations and community groups interested in composting through education, knowledge exchange, and sharing best practice.
Currently, Generous Earth are raising money to purchase three Ridan Pro 400 food waste composting systems to showcase composting on a larger scale. These composters will be used in community settings to greatly increase composting capacity and speed. The Crowdfunder ends on Tuesday 19 March and donators are offered a range of rewards from practical workshops to bags of compost.
Support Generous Earth’s community composting Crowdfunder
Household Support Fund receives six-month extension
In the Spring budget, the Chancellor announced that the government will provide £500 million to enable a six-month extension to the Household Support Fund until September 2024. This came after national campaigning from organisations including the Local Government Association and Barnardo's.
The Household Support Fund is used by local authorities in England to provide targeted support for vulnerable households who are struggling to meet their food, energy, water, and other essential living needs. In Devon, the Fund has been used to provide free school meal holiday food vouchers and Food, Fuel and More grants for community organisations.
Read how the Household Support Fund has helped households in Devon
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Plant and Share Month returns for 2024
Part of the Soil Association’s Food for Life Get Togethers programme, Plant and Share Month aims to build connections through growing. Everyone from complete beginners to established growers can take part whether you’re growing in an outdoor space, as part of a community group, or even just on a windowsill. Plant and Share Month 2024 will run throughout April with a useful, online toolkit to help you get started.
Read more about Plant and Share Month and access the online toolkit
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LOVE Food CIC’s Crowdfunder success
LOVE Food CIC’s Crowdfunder for a St Thomas Community Food Hub in Exeter successfully surpassed its target raising £15,361 from 149 supporters. Further match funding will also be provided by Aviva and Sovereign Housing to support the establishment of the food hub. Keep up to date on LOVE Food CIC’s work by visiting the website and following them on social media.
Visit LOVE Food CIC’s website
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South West AgriTech Showcase
Thursday 21 March, 08:30-16:15
South West AgriTech are holding their second showcase to promote the region’s strength in developing the nation’s agricultural technology powerhouse. The event will focus on innovation and technology within agriculture; its commercialisation and adoption; and how this can improve farming businesses and profitability.
Book your tickets to the South West AgriTech Showcase 2024
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Soil Workshop led by Symbiosis Soil Lab
Wednesday 27 March, 10:30-14:30
Led by Symbiosis Soil Lab, this workshop is an opportunity for East Devon farmers to learn the basics about soil microbiology and health. The workshop will take place on Road Pitt Farm – a dairy farm near Colyton adopting a more regenerative approach – and will also include a farm walk. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.
Register for the Soil Workshop with Symbiosis Soil Lab
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Growing Community Food Enterprises webinar
Wednesday 27 March, 15:00-16:15
Sustain are launching a new toolkit to help community food projects that wish to develop more sustainable enterprising models, and explore the role of social investors in growing the sector. This webinar will promote learnings from Sustain's Growing Community Food Enterprises project as well as information, resources, and tips from the toolkit; case studies from across the country; and insight into working with social investors.
Register for the Growing Community Food Enterprises webinar
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Six Inches of Soil screening at Exeter Picturehouse
Thursday 28 March, 17:30
Six Inches of Soil is a documentary feature film following three farmers on the first year of their regenerative journey to heal the soil and help transform our food system. This screening at Exeter Picturehouse will include a panel discussion featuring farmers, producers, and stakeholders including Cornish beef farmer Ben Thomas (who features in the film), Riverford’s Harriet Bell, and Emily Reed from the Devon Climate Emergency partnership.
Book your tickets to see Six Inches of Soil at Exeter Picturehouse
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