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Devon Food Partnership Newsletter
February 2025
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People Planet Profit
 People Planet Profit – Marketing Sustainability
Wednesday 5 March, 09:00-14:00
Exeter Science Park, EX5 2FN
We are excited to announce our next event for food and drink businesses: People Planet Profit – Marketing Sustainability!
This event has been designed to empower local food and drink businesses to authentically communicate and market their sustainability efforts. The day will consist of three interactive workshop sessions led by experts in communications and marketing:
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Sustainability as a selling point for your food business - Julia Kirby Smith, Better Food Traders
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How to use PR to spotlight your sustainable business and reach the right audience - Harry Hook, Raw Food and Drink PR
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Focus on digital marketing - Lisa Lessware, Digital Link
In addition to these workshops, there will be opportunity to ask questions, network with likeminded businesses, and learn more about the Devon Food Partnership. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Although this event is aimed at food and drink businesses, anyone with an interest in marketing food and drink sustainability is welcome.
People Planet Profit – Packaging and Waste
Marketing Sustainability comes after the success of previous event focused on waste and packing on Thursday 30 January.
Nearly 40 representatives from local food and drink businesses came together to hear about how they could improve the sustainability of their practices around food waste and packaging. Speakers included representatives from Binit, Boxway, Devon County Council's Waste Team, and Heart of the South West Trading Standards, as well as local case study businesses.
Slides, notes, and additional resources are now available on our website for those who were unable to attend.
Catch up on information from People Planet Profit – Packaging and Waste
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Government launches consultation on land use in England
The Government has launched a consultation on a new strategic approach to managing land use, balancing attention between food security, nature, climate, housing, and other land uses.
The consultation is seeking feedback from farmers, landowners, businesses, and nature groups. Among the Government’s proposals are sparing more land for nature while remaining committed to maintaining domestic food production through improvements in productivity.
Findings from the consultation will be used to inform the development of a Land Use Framework for England. The consultation will close on Friday 25 April
Read the consultation documents and submit your response
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‘Just in Case’ – new report from the National Preparedness Commission explores UK civil food resilience
The National Preparedness Commission has published its new report ‘Just in Case: 7 steps to narrow the UK civil food resilience gap.’
Written by Professor Tim Lang, the report considers the state of UK civil food resilience and whether the UK public’s readiness for the possibility of food shocks is adequately addressed by current resilience planning. Its focus is on the reaction of the public – rather than government or industry – to shocks.
The report finds that the UK’s food system is highly vulnerable due to decades of just-in-time efficiency and government thinking is complacent about food risks. It concludes that considerable change is needed to bring UK food policy into a fit state of preparedness and calls for a decisive shift from reactive food policies to proactive, community-centred resilience planning.
Read the full ‘Just in Case’ report on the National Preparedness Commission website
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Fully funded Carbon Literacy Training available for food SMEs
The Carbon Literacy Project, with support from the Compass Group Foundation, are offering free Carbon Literacy training for food SMEs with an annual turnover of less than £5 million.
Benefits of taking part include:
- Cut carbon emissions and save money
- Better risk management
- Greater stakeholder engagement
- Reach your sustainability goals faster
- Innovation and market opportunity
The deadline to apply is Monday 10 March 2025.
Find out more about Carbon Literacy training for food SMEs
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Government launches £15m Food Surplus Fund for charities in England
Defra is offering grants starting at £20,000 to not-for-profit organisations for projects that take surplus food off farms and into the redistribution system with the aim of helping to fight hunger in communities in England.
Project proposals need to:
- Build stronger collaborations with farmers to access surplus food.
- Expand logistical capacity to transport and distribute rescued produce efficiently.
- Invest in critical infrastructure such as refrigeration, storage facilities, and transport vehicles to keep food fresh and safe for redistribution.
- Procure packaging and labelling equipment to streamline the handling of surplus goods.
Match funding of between 10% and 20% is required depending on the size of the organisation. Project delivery is from 14 May 2025 to 31 March 2026.
The deadline for applications is Thursday 13 March 2025.
Apply for a Food Surplus Fund grant on the Government website
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Ramsland Farm Orchard Day
Ramsland Farm, Holbeton, PL8 2ES
Sunday 23 February, 10:00-14:00
Join the Connecting People and Landscapes project, led by the Bat Conservation Trust, for a family orientated day to learn about orchards, help plant apple trees, and learn more about regenerative agriculture from local farmers. Hearty winter stew and refreshments will be provided, with vegetarian options available. This event is suitable for children aged 7+ but younger siblings are welcome.
Book your tickets for the Ramsland Farm Orchard Day
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Exeter Seed Swap 2025
Sunday 2 March, 11:00-14:00
Positive Light Projects, 184-187 Sidwell Street, Exeter EX4 6RD
Join Exeter Seed Bank for the Exeter Seed Swap, now in its third year. The day will feature hands-on activities, demos, yummy café treats, plants to buy, stalls, and more. Entry is free (with a suggested £2 donation) and children are welcome. In addition to the Seed Swap, a series of talks will be held in the afternoon at St Sidwell Bakehouse. Topics include gardening for wildlife, community medicinal gardening, composting, and soil health. Booking is essential for the additional talks at £5 per talk plus a booking fee.
Find out more about the Exeter Seed Swap 2025
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Exeter Food Presents: Guy and Geetie Singh-Watson
Monday 10 March, 18:30-20:00
Alumni Auditorium, Streatham Campus, Exeter & MS Teams
Join the Exeter Food Research Network in conversation with Guy and Geetie Singh-Watson. Guy is the founder of Riverford Organic Farmers meanwhile Geetie is the founder of several organic pubs and inns including the Bull Inn in Totnes. The lecture will take place in the Alumni Auditorium, Streatham Campus, Exeter and will also be accessible via MS Teams for those unable to attend in person.
Register for Exeter Food presents: Guy & Geetie Singh-Watson
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Devon Local Nature Partnership Spring Conference
Tuesday 25 March
Sandy Park, Exeter, EX2 7NN
The Devon Local Nature Partnership has announced its Spring Conference. This year's theme is Nature Recovery in Devon, with a focus on the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Devon and the upcoming consultation period. The conference will include inspiring showcases of nature recovery projects from across the county, engaging interactive workshops, and ample opportunities to connect and collaborate with others who are passionate about our natural environment.
Tickets are not yet available – stay up to date on the Devon Local Nature Partnership website
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