Devon Food Partnership wins prestigious silver award
A partnership bringing together farmers, food businesses, community groups and public organisations across Devon has received a prestigious national award for its work to promote healthy, sustainable and locally produced food.
The Devon Food Partnership has been awarded the Sustainable Food Places Silver Award, recognising progress in improving access to nutritious food, supporting local producers and making the county's food system more sustainable.
The award marks an improvement on the Bronze Award achieved by the Partnership in 2023, and reflects the collective efforts of organisations, businesses, schools, farmers, local authorities and residents across Devon.
Established in 2021 and hosted by Devon County Council, the Partnership brings together organisations from across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay. Its work is guided by Devon’s Good Food Strategy 2023-2028, which aims to make healthy, locally produced food available and affordable for everyone.
Three working groups focus on food insecurity, food in schools and Devon’s local food economy. They bring together the various individuals and organisations to tackle issues ranging from improving school meals and access to healthy food to supporting local producers and helping food and drink businesses become more sustainable and resilient.
Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs and Broadband, said: "This is fantastic news, and I want to congratulate everyone involved in the Devon Food Partnership on achieving this Silver Award!
“Devon has a fantastic food and farming sector of world-class quality that we are all so proud of. Supporting locally produced food brings so many benefits to our communities. It supports the local economy, reduces our carbon footprint, and contributes to the health and wellbeing of residents through the excellent food produced here in Devon.
"It is really encouraging to see the progress that has been made since the Partnership received its Bronze Award in 2023, from supporting local businesses and producers to improving access to healthy food and strengthening local supply chains.
"This award shows what can be achieved when organisations, businesses and communities work together across Devon. We look forward to building on this success and continuing our journey towards achieving Gold!"
Harry West, Chair of the Devon Food Partnership, said: “The Devon Food Partnership initially formed in 2021 with a joint commitment to working towards a future in which healthy, local, sustainably produced food is available, accessible, and affordable for everyone in Devon.
“Five years on, this mission is even more important and this Sustainable Food Places Silver Award reflects the enormous progress that has been made.
“The award is testament to the hard work and passion of all members of the Partnership and wider Good Food Movement, and something that the whole county can take pride in. As the momentum behind the Devon Food Partnership continues to build, this moment is a chance to celebrate our successes and look ahead to our future.”
The Sustainable Food Places programme is run by a partnership of organisations including the Soil Association, Food Matters and Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.
The Devon Food Partnership said it would build on the recognition as it continues its work towards a more sustainable and resilient local food system, with the ambition of achieving Gold status.