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Devon Food Partnership Newsletter
May 2025
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New Community Food Hubs Programme Launched
A new programme is seeking to ease food insecurity while testing an approach that offers food support within community hubs.
The two-year programme, which has received £200,000 of investment from Devon County Council’s (DCC) Public Health and Communities Directorate, is being led by Devon Community Foundation (DCF). It aims to test key themes of DCF and DCC’s 2024 research The Face of Food Insecurity in Devon. This research highlighted the chronic nature of food insecurity within the county and the potential benefits of placing food support in locations that also offer other related services and advice.
The aim of the programme is to further develop understanding of the sustainability of food hub models and their potential role in connecting communities, particularly families experiencing chronic food insecurity, with other forms of support.
Following a strong field of applications, start-up grants have been awarded to five projects:
- Project Food in Axminster
- Nourishing Dartmoor, a partnership between Wellmoor and Knead to Connect
- Stepping Stones Totnes CIC in Bridgetown
- Love Food CIC in Exeter
- A new cooking and eating hub at Queen Elizabeth School in Crediton led by Involve Voluntary Action in Mid Devon
Devon County Show 2025
 We had a wonderful time at the Devon County Show this month – a big thank you to those of you who found us! It was great to have so many conversations about your experiences accessing locally produced food in Devon.
Over the course of the three days, we asked for pledges to eat more local food and offered different activities designed to increase connection with our food including a bread test, a food waste tombola, and a craft activity for kids to ‘Eat the Devon Rainbow’.
We also organised two discussions at the new Farmer’s Hub tent: one for farmers offering advice on accessing the new ADOPT fund, and a second People Planet Profit discussion asking ‘how do we get more local food onto our plates?’
And finally, we held a prize draw for those who signed up to this newsletter. Congratulations to our winner Amelia who won the lovely hamper of local goodies!
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New Exeter Quayside Farmers’ Market to launch in June
Food Exeter, Shillingford Organics, and Exeter City Council have worked together to bring a brand new farmers’ market to the City. Taking place at Exeter Quay on the third Saturday of every month until the end of the year, the market will feature local produce, artisanal products, plants, and more. The new market will launch at 9am on Saturday 21 June. Those interested in having a trade stall should contact Johanna on info@foodexeter.org.uk.
Visit the Exeter Quayside Farmers’ Market Instagram page
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Devon County Council Locality Budgets to open for applications from Tuesday 27 May
Each County Councillor in Devon has a Locality Budget allocation of £8,000 that they can use in this financial year (until March 2026). Devon County Council Members can use their Locality Budget to support good causes in the area that they represent such as projects to address loneliness, increase access to healthy activities, help people experiencing food poverty, or enhance public spaces.
Applications are accepted from constituted and not-for-private-profit voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector groups and organisations, town and parish councils, charities or businesses (that have an eligible sponsor), or a combination of such groups working together. All projects should include some other financial contribution(s) and/or local support.
Find out more about Locality Budgets and how to apply
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New Sustainable Food Trust report explores the role of grazing livestock in UK food system transformation
Grazing Livestock: It’s not the cow but the how examines the potential role grazing livestock could play within a more sustainable UK food system. This includes addressing climate change, restoring biodiversity, improving public health, and maintaining food security.
Drawing on the latest research, the report argues that realising the benefits if grazing livestock will require a shift away from the consumption of intensive livestock products, towards lower-input, pasture-based farming and diets that feature smaller amounts of high-quality meat and dairy.
Read the full Grazing Livestock report
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Tesco Stronger Starts: Cooking for All funding available
150 grants of £1,000 each are up for grabs from the Tesco Stronger Starts ‘Cooking for All’ fund which aims improve access to healthy food for children. The focus is on projects supporting children and young people up to the age of 16 with access to healthy, nutritious food, and educating them around food, particularly how to cook.
Schools and not-for profit organisations can apply for a £1,000 grant. The deadline to apply is Friday 30 May.
Apply for a Tesco Stronger Starts: Cooking for All grant
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Flavour Fest
Plymouth City Centre
Friday 30 May to Sunday 1 June
The South West’s largest food and drink festival will return to Plymouth city centre from Friday 30 May to Sunday 1 June 2025. Explore over 120 stalls of fantastic local produce at the event with a packed programme of inspirational talks and demonstrations by top local chefs, fantastic live music, workshops, and plenty more.
Find out more about Flavour Fest 2025
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Open Farm Sunday
Sunday 8 June
Open Farm Sunday is a fabulous opportunity to connect farmers and the public to discover the crucial work farmers do producing food, nurturing nature, and protecting the environment for future generations. Farms across Devon and the rest of the country will open their gates to the public and offer a range of activities including machinery displays, tractor and trailer rides, demonstrations, nature walks, and much more!
Find your nearest Open Farm Sunday event
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Gather – Devon’s Inaugural Food and Drink Summit
University of Exeter
Wednesday 11 June 2025
The South West’s thriving food and drink community is coming together for an unmissable day of insights, innovation, and inspiration. Whether you’re a producer, entrepreneur, or industry professional, Gather is your opportunity to gain the knowledge, connections, and strategies needed to grow and future-proof your business. As a landmark one-day summit, Gather has been brought to life by passionate stakeholders from Food Drink Devon, the University of Exeter, and supported by the Devon Food Partnership, Bishop Fleming, Maia Growth, Buddy Creative, and Clockwork Marketing.
Buy your tickets to Gather
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The Food Data Collaboration: Insights & Innovations from three years of R&D
Online
Wednesday 11 June 2025
Since 2022, the Food Data Collaboration has been exploring the potential for open data standards to enable shorter, relational, regenerative food supply networks to scale and pave the way towards a healthier, more equitable, and more resilient food future. This webinar is for anyone interested in scaling regenerative food supply networks - whether you’re a food grower or producer, a potential e-commerce platform collaborator, a possible supporter, funder or investor, or simply someone who is curious to learn more.
Register for the Food Data Collaboration webinar.
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