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Devon Food Partnership Newsletter
January 2025
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Petition calls for food, farming, and sustainability education to be embedded into the national curriculum
A petition is calling for the government to integrate comprehensive food, farming, and sustainability education into the national curriculum, making these subjects core to students’ learning from early years through secondary school. At the time of writing, the petition has gained over 5,000 signatures.
The petition was started by sheep farmer and former teacher Olivia Shave and has gained national support from a range of people and organisations including Farmers Guardian. They argue that practical education connecting students to food and farming issues could improve academic engagement and provide life skills essential for resilience, as well as foster environmental responsibility and stewardship.
Find out more and sign the petition
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Supermarkets make announcements on farming and sustainability
In recent weeks, all the UK’s major supermarkets have publicly stated their shared concerns over the government’s proposed changes to farm inheritance tax. This comes as the NFU continues to campaign against what they call the ‘family farm tax’, having delivered a petition with more than 270,000 signatures to Downing Street. Find out more about the NFU’s campaign and supermarkets’ responses
Meanwhile, Co-op has announced a new £820,000 fund to support sustainable farming efforts which will see beef, dairy, and lamb farmers directly rewarded for their efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote nature on their farms.
Similarly, Tesco has announced plans to set up two low carbon concept farms to trial innovative greener farming methods such as alternative fertilisers and fuels; efficient cold storage facilities; and carbon removal techniques.
The role of supermarkets in more sustainable food systems has been a topic of discussion with the Partnership, and we’re keen to hear your views. Let us know what you think on our Facebook or Instagram pages, or get in touch at info@devonfoodpartnership.org.uk.
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Royal Countryside Fund’s new UK-wide grant programme open for expressions of interest
Not-for-profit community organisations with an income of less than £500,000 a year can apply for grants of up to £25,000 over a period of 24 months from the Royal Countryside Fund.
The fund is seeking to support activities that fall under four key themes: keeping young people in the countryside, powering up rural communities, environmental sustainability, and building emergency resilience in rural areas.
The grants can be used for direct costs, organisational development, core or fixed costs, and projects must be completed by June 2027. Expressions of interest will be accepted until Friday 21 February 2025.
Visit the Royal Countryside Fund’s website for details
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Esmée Fairburn Foundation funding available for charitable organisations
The Esmée Fairburn Foundation provides revenue funding to charitable work across the UK. The aim of the funding is to support organisations that are leading the way with transformative projects that will have a long-term impact.
Most grants from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation are for core costs and can be for three to five years. The minimum grant is £30,000. Most grants are given to registered charities but other organisations doing legally charitable work such as CICs and companies limited by guarantee can also apply.
The Foundation is hosting a pre-application Q&A webinar on Monday 3 February for organisations interested in applying.
Find out more about the Esmée Fairburn Foundation’s grants
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People Planet Profit: Packaging & Waste Solutions
Exeter Science Park, Exeter, EX5 2FN
Thursday 30 January
The Devon Food Partnership has teamed up with Prosper Business Support to bring you this event focused on how food and drink businesses can adopt more sustainable packaging and waste practices. Hear from a range speakers, including from Binit and Devon County Council, about packaging regulations and options, food waste reduction, and more. This event will take place at Exeter Science Park and lunch will be provided.
Register your place at the People Planet Profit: Packaging and Waste Solutions event
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Rootstock: Devon’s Future Farming Conference
Westpoint, Exeter, EX5 1DJ
Thursday 6 February
Rootstock is a one day conference for farmers in the South West to discuss forward-looking, profitable, sustainable farming in tune with natural processes. Sessions will be based around contextualised science, with speakers being a mixture of expert scientists and practical farmers. The conference will inform, explore, and question current farming trends and the latest technical developments.
Purchase your tickets on the Rootstock website
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Food Security - Resilience in a Changing World
Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge, PL27 7JE
Thursday 27 February
This conference, organised by the Cornwall Food and Farming Group, will gather farmers, growers, food producers, and anyone with an interest in food security and resilient food systems. Speakers include Professor Tim Lang (University of London), Dr Pete Falloon (Met Office), Harriet Bell (Riverford Organics), and more. Tickets cost £15 (plus Eventbrite charge) and includes refreshments and a buffet lunch.
Buy tickets to the Food Security – Resilience in a Changing World conference
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Exeter Food: Professor Alan Kelly – Is there a problem with food processing?
Streatham Campus, Exeter and online
Tuesday 4 March
Join the Exeter Food Research Network for a talk by Alan Kelly, Professor of Food Science and Head of the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences at the University College, Cork. In this talk, the history and goals of food processing will be briefly explored, and there will be an interactive discussion around changing public perceptions around food processing. This event is hybrid and will take place at Streatham Campus, Exeter and online on Teams.
Find out more and register on the Exeter Food website
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South West Agri Tech Showcase
Westpoint, Exeter, EX5 1DJ
Thursday 20 March
The South West Agri Tech showcase returns to Westpoint for the third year running. A packed agenda celebrating innovation and developments in the South West agricultural sector. The event will be a mix of presentations, workshops, and exhibits from organisations from across the Agri Tech sector. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Book your tickets to the South West Agri Tech Showcase
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