Good Food Cycle

Just launched, the new National Food Strategy 'Good Food Cycle' is welcomed for its collaborative approach and acknowledgement of Food Partnerships being part of the driver for change.

The Strategy reflects our own Devon Food Strategy and we look forward to see what will transpire in terms of food policy and funding.

Read the Good Food Cycle press release from UK government

NHS 10-year Health Plan

On 3rd July, Secretary for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, launched the '10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future'

Food gets a mention in the plan. As is often the way, Agri Food for Net Zero provided a helpful digest of the plan and how it relates to food and farming: Read the Agri-food for Net Zero digest of the 10 year health plan for England

Government announced healthy food revolution in business

At the end of June, the government announced plans to get businesses to promote healthy eating. We are awaiting the details for how this works in practice but the underlying message is around preventative measures to improve obesity and for businesses to take more responsibility.  

Read the government briefing here: Healthy food revolution to tackle obesity epidemic - GOV.UK

A collaborative review of early years interventions into obesity has been conducted by The Academy of Medical Sciences and Accademia Nazionale Dei Lincei. With1 in 5 children now classed as obese in the UK, this timely review calls for destigmatisation, early intervention and a full systems approach. The findings conclude that the first 1000 days are critical and a full systems approach is most effective.

Read the full report Early years interventions to tackle childhood obesity and promote life-long health

Devon Food Partnership has submitted a response to this consultation in support of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy being applied to milk-based drinks, fermented yogurt drinks and milk substitute drinks. The amendment to the levy will allow for naturally occurring sugars in lactose or the principal milk substitute: if it is passed then the levy will only apply to added sugar.

Read about the Soft Drinks Industry Levy amendment and contribute to the consultation before 21st July

Up to £5000 grant funding for projects with sustainability at core.

The Sustainability Fund provides cash sponsorship, in-kind resources or staff volunteers to support not-for-profit organisations, community groups, and individuals to transform their local community or environment.

Learn more about Veolia funding opportunities for community groups and VSCE's

Apricot Centre, Huxhams Cross Farm, Dartington, Totnes, TQ9 6AA

Saturday 19 July 09:45-16:00

If you are 18-35 and passionate about sustainability in the food system, this unique and inspiring event is for you! Join Emergent Generation on a visit to the Apricot Centre and Martin Crawford’s Forest School to learn more about agroecology and regenerative thinking, connect with like-minded people, gain confidence, and share knowledge. This event is for members of Emergent Generation only, which is free to join on the website.

Book your tickets to the Emergent Generation event

Thursday 24 July 09:00-10:00

Early evidence shows promising results for the ability of weight-loss jabs to reduce patients’ weight through suppressed appetite, and even decrease people’s spend on foods high in sugar, salt and fat. The implications for the UK’s ability to fight obesity and diet-related ill-health could be profound and 4 in 100 UK households now include at least GLP-1 user with this estimated to rise. 

Register here for this free webinar on weight-loss jabs and sustainable dietary shift

31 July - 3 August, different locations in Devon

A long-standing touring show diving into a history of land rights and protest songs in England.

Find out more and where to watch Three Acres and a Cow

Trill Farm Garden, Musbury, East Devon, EX13 8TU

Saturday 9 August 14:00-20:00

A day celebrating Trill Farm's organic heritage tomatoes! Garden tours and tasters, tomato seed saving demo, cookery demo, kids activities, tomato art, tomato throwing competition, a delicious supper (tickets to be purchased separately), music & bar. Kids go free!

Book your place at Trill Farm Tomato Fest

South Devon Food Hub, Totnes, TQ9 6PW

Wednesday 27 August 10:00-14:00

Devon Food Partnership is collaborating with Food Drink Devon to celebrate Mmmake Your Mark, a new campaign to celebrate working in the end-to-end agri-food supply chain. Our event includes guidance for businesses on opportunities for upskilling their teams and recruitment.

Find out more about the Mmmake Your Mark event here and book your free space

13 - 21 September

Are you a food or farming business based in East Devon? Taste East Devon Festival is a 9 day celebration of good food and drink. Its FREE for businesses to take part and events are held throughout the duration at farm shops, on farms, in restaurants and other locations, featuring the abundance of locally sourced food and drink of the region.

Register on their website if you would like to get involved

Sandy Park, Exeter

Thursday 27 November 09:30-15:30

Designed specifically for school teachers, facilities managers, and sustainability leads who are passionate about driving positive environmental change within their institutions.

This new event will share invaluable insights and practical tools for making your school more sustainable - sharing initiatives that not only help the environment but also save your school money and reduce its carbon footprint.

Book your space at the Sustainability conference: Empowering schools towards a sustainable future