Do you know a child who lives on a farm?

A new competition is seeking young voices of England’s family farms. Young people growing up on working family farms in England will have the chance to share their real‑life stories with one winner winning a publication plus 10% of profits for their family farm.

Closing date for the competition is 16th March 2026.

Find out more and enter the competition here

The University of Exeter is accepting applications for its Masters in Food Studies to commence study in September 2026.

The course prepares students to understand, critically assess and practically engage with foodways and food systems in industrialised and non-industrialised societies. Core modules provide interdisciplinary perspectives drawing from fields in the humanities, social sciences, life sciences and business (previous study in these areas not required). Optional modules allow students to develop expertise in sustainable food production, health and nutrition, community development, education, or business and social enterprise, or to prepare for further research. 

For more details on Exeter University's Masters in Food Studies, and to apply, click here 

Applicants can apply for a Glanely Food and Farming Scholarship.

📅 Sunday 1 March, 1–4pm

📍 Positive Light Projects, Sidwell Street, Exeter, EX4 6RD

Exeter's much-loved annual Seed Swap returns, bringing together growers, gardeners and curious newcomers to share seeds, learn about living soils, and be part of Exeter's growing movement.

• Diverse varieties of seed for swapping with 5,000 free packets available
• Pop-up soil testing lab for community members to understand the health of their soil and by extension the health of the food and flowers they're growing
• Community cafe
• Demos and projects from community groups in Exeter
• Find out about seed packing workshops ahead of the Seed Swap

Find out more about the Seed Swap on their website here

📅 Saturday 28 March 2026,  2-4.30 pm

📍Emmanuel Hall, Exeter, EX4 1EJ

Pick up practical tips on soil, the life cycle of plants, rotation, succession and companion planting, to help make a small vegetable flourish all year round.

Book your free 'Planning your vegetable plot' workshop and find out more here

📅 Thursday 19 March 2026,  9.30am-3pm

📍Exeter Community Centre, EX4 3RG

It's time to Nourish the Nourishers!

Are you or do you know someone working on the frontlines of the Food Insecurity/Food Action VCSE sector in Devon? 

Come together, celebrate your achievements and share ideas. We will be looking at wellbeing, greater access to the local food economy for feeding people, organisational sustainability and more.

There will be speakers, workshops and plenty of time to share experiences.

Book your free place on Nourishing the Nourishers via Eventbrite now

In Devon, it’s estimated that up to half of all people who are eligible for Healthy Start aren’t receiving it. Find out in this short video (7 mins) about how you can become a Healthy Start Ambassador in your local community, to help raise awareness and support sign up to the scheme.

Find the video on this page on Devon Food Partnerships website here

We recently visited Food in Community CIC's (FIC) innovative new food processing facility at South Devon Food Hub that promises to transform the way food waste is tackled, support farmers, and provide unique training opportunities to individuals who face barriers to employment.

FIC glean produce from farms - paying the farmers when possible and reducing on-farm food waste. They deliver over 7,000 organic veg boxes at no or reduced cost.

Based in Totnes, Food in Community CIC is the UK’s first surplus food hub, rescuing and redistributing fresh, mostly organic fruit and vegetables to charities, community groups, and households in need. It was fascinating to learn of the breadth of FIC's work, made possible by a team of dedicated staff and 200 volunteers!

Take a look at FIC's website to learn more about what they do.

Devon County Council's Public Health Team are developing a new programme to support a whole-school approach to food and they want to hear from teachers, school caterers and school operations staff. Share the challenges you face, and what would help you to:

• Plan and offer quality food provision in your school
• Engage parents and the wider school community 
• Promote consistent messages on healthier food
• Improve access to affordable, healthy food for pupils

Your feedback will help shape future support such as training, resources or expert advice and help. Public Health are working with the Devon Food Partnership and will keep you updated on future opportunities to get involved in a school food programme if this is of interest to you.

As a thank you for completing the survey, you can enter our free prize draw to win £250 to spend on food preparation or activity equipment for your school.  Please follow this link Devon Food in School survey – Fill in form and complete by Friday 27th February.

A farmer, trained in educating, can visit your school for free to teach the next generation about where food comes from:

• STEMterprise is for primary schools aimed at Year 1 – through to Year 6. Primary school visit requests can be made via this registration form
• ‘Farmers for Schools’ is for secondary schools aimed at Year 7 through to year 13. Visit requests can be made via this registration form

Find out more about NFU Education programmes here and sign up to ‘keep in touch’.

We are busy with events at the moment. This month, we had a stand at Source Trade Show, meeting some of Devon's finest food and drink producers. It was a great opportunity to talk about  our People Planet Profit event series, supporting businesses to become more sustainable. 

Our stand was next to Growth Hub - if you aren't on their mailing list then we suggest you sign up to hear about business support.

We hope to see you at an event soon!

Save the date: Wednesday 10th June 2026 Following the success of last year, GATHER is returning.

Whether you're a producer, entrepreneur or work in the industry GATHER is your opportunity to gain knowledge, connections and strategies to future-proof your business. This event will address challenges and opportunities in our evolving food and drink sector through inspiring speakers, workshops, discussions and food. 

Organised by Food Drink Devon and the University of Exeter, the programme is being created and they are looking for contributions. Submit your Expression of Interest to contribute to the Gather Workshop Programme

Tickets will go on sale in March and you can read up on last years programme on the website here

Netshift CIC Decarbonisation Programme is open to businesses in Teignbridge, West Devon and South Hams District Councils.

To find out more or register your interest, visit:  https://bipc.librariesunlimited.org.uk/decarbonisation-plans/