Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) will open a new exhibition, FOOD: Beyond the Plate, on Saturday 22 March.

This exhibition delves into the history, culture, and future of food, from ancient tools and dining traditions to modern-day challenges like food scarcity and sustainability.

Featuring interesting objects—from butchering tools and food baskets to Exeter’s own milk cart—the exhibition uncovers how food shapes societies and rituals worldwide and will showcase local communities' food memories and traditions, celebrating Exeter’s rich cultural diversity.

Alongside the exhibition, a programme of events, including craft workshops, a cheese-making session, and a RAMM Lates evening, will offer interactive experiences.

FOOD: Beyond the Plate will run until Sunday 29 June and entry is free.

Visit the RAMM website to find out more

The Government has announced the first 750 schools (including 25 in Devon) to offer free breakfast clubs from April as part of a pilot project.

Primary school children in these schools will be able to access a free breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare every day. The schools will receive Government funding towards food and staffing costs, and are encouraged to offer healthy, varied, and nutritious breakfasts.

Learnings from the schools taking part in this pilot will be used to inform the future of the Government’s national breakfast club policy.

Read more about the Devon schools taking part in the breakfast club programme

As part of the Government’s Community Regeneration Partnership Scheme, Torridge District Council has been awarded over £20 million to fund projects delivering lasting benefits to residents across the District.

The wide range of projects set to receive investment include modernisations and improvements to Bideford Pannier Market; development of agri-innovation, retail, and professional space at Holsworthy Agri-Business Park; and an agri-tech nutrient pilot scheme to test the adaptation of a slurry condensing unit to recover nutrients and reduce the pollutants going into rivers.

Find out more about the projects set to receive funding from Torridge District Council

This comes as local businesses are being offered the chance to win a free shop unit in Bideford Pannier Market for six months, worth nearly £2,000. This is part of part of the LaunchBideford project, a collaboration between Save the High Street, Bideford Town Council, and Torridge District Council which aims unlock value from vacant space in Bideford town centre.

Visit the LaunchBideford website and apply to take part

In recent weeks, Defra has announced a number of changes to the funding available to farmers.

The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme has been extended until March 2026 to enable farmers in National Landscapes (formerly AONBs) and National Parks to take action to support nature recovery, mitigate climate change, and improve public access.

Meanwhile, the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) and ADOPT (Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies) Fund are set to open for grant applications this Spring with the aim of supporting farmers adopting new technology and innovative practices. This will be backed up by the Farming Innovation Programme, which will fund key research projects into agri-tech and innovation.

However, Defra has also announced a sudden pause to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme, a key source of funding for sustainable food production that was designed to replace EU subsidies. The move has been criticised a range of food, farming, and environmental groups, including the NFU and Nature Friendly Farming Network.

Visit the Government website for an overview of funding available to farmers

Following a well-attended screening of the Six Inches of Soil film in December, Sustainable Chulmleigh are looking to develop a directory of local regenerative farmers who sell directly to consumers. The aim is to equip members of the public with the knowledge of where to purchase local, sustainable food.

To support this work, Sustainable Chulmleigh are asking for anyone with suggestions to get in touch and share details of regenerative farmers and farm shops across Devon that could be included.

Read more about the project and submit your suggestions

Sunday 23 March, 13:00-15:30

Old Parsonage Farm, Dartington, Devon, TQ9 6EA

Join the Connecting People and Landscapes project (delivered by the Bat Conservation Trust) at Old Parsonage Farm for a guided walk around the fields and hedgerows with farming adviser Sebastian Allen-Mepham who'll be explaining regenerative farming practices and how farmers Ollie and Harriet are farming with nature in mind. Plus, simple wildlife and farming challenges for families to help keep all ages engaged on the walk. Refreshments will be provided and activities are suitable for 7 years old to adult, but younger family members are welcome to accompany.

Book your free place on the Old Parsonage Farm walk

Wednesday 26 March and Wednesday 2 April, 15:00-17:00

Exeter Foodbank, 174/175 Cowick Street, Exeter, Devon EX4 1AA

Exeter Community Initiatives and Exeter Foodbank are offering a free 2-part course exploring the ‘science’ around how what we eat affects how we feel, and vice-versa. This will include discussions about the different ways of including healthy food in your diet and look at planning healthy meals on a budget. You must be able to attend both sessions in order to complete the course.

Register for the two-day Food & Mood course

Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 April, 10:00-15:30

South Brent Old school Community Centre, Totnes Road, South Brent, TQ10 9BP

This two-day course will be led by 'Dr Compost' Nicky Scott and Sustainable South Hams Compost Mentors Ben Bryant and Mel Harvey. They will offer a deep dive for all those interested in developing a community composting site or for existing sites wishing to share experiences, develop or diversify their projects, and learn from other sites. Attendees should be willing and able to use the course to develop projects in their own community in the South Hams.

Book your place at the Community Composting Gathering & Masterclass