Welcome to Every Bite Counts, the Devon Food Partnership’s flagship local food campaign. We’re on a mission to promote the value of local food and drink and to support Devon’s fantastic producers.
Every small change in our food choices makes a big impact for our farmers, communities, and environment. If every one of Devon’s 842,000 residents chose locally grown fruit and veg just once a month, the collective impact would be huge.
That’s why we’re inviting you to share your pledge to make a small change to eat more local food. Whatever you do to eat local, by taking simple, convenient steps towards eating locally together, we can build a healthier, more sustainable food future for Devon. Join us in making a difference one bite at a time!
Why eat local?
Eating local isn’t just about reducing food miles; it’s a powerful way to support your health, the environment, and our communities.
Every bite of local produce can help:
- Support local farmers and businesses and ensure they are paid fairly
- Reduce food miles and transport emissions
- Promote regenerative farming practices that help biodiversity and conservation
- Improve your health as nutrition is highest for fresher produce (this is also true for ingredients frozen soon after picking)
- Strengthen community connections (research shows that every £10 spent on local food generates up to £25 in local economic activity, compared to just £14 when spent in a supermarket).
Find out more about the benefits of local food in The Case for Local Food report from Sustain.
What can I do?
Some ideas for what you can do:
- Choose a café or restaurant that cooks locally grown produce, there are lots in Devon
- Grow your own herbs, this reduces plastic and food miles
- Head to a farm shop and buy something grown or made locally
- Ask neighbours to share their fruit or veg gluts or share yours
- Attend a farm open day to find out more about farming life
- Shop at a farmers’ market
- Sign up to a local box scheme
- Grow your own veggies, this could be in a community allotment
- Join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) scheme
- Join or start your own food co-op
- Share your experience of local food with others
You can also join the wider movement towards a fairer, more sustainable food system in Devon by sharing your experience with local food using the hashtags #everybitecounts and #seasonalveg. And, don’t forget to tag us in on facebook and instagram @devonfoodpartnership.
Resources and guidance
Looking for inspiration of where to start eating locally? There are lots of resources out there to help you find the best, freshest local produce.
Food Drink Devon is a Community Interest Company committed to raising the profile of Devon’s fantastic quality, seasonal, and sustainable local produce. Food Drink Devon members include food and drink producers, retailers, hospitality venues, and related support businesses. Made in Devon‘s membership also includes local food and drink producers which are committed to using local ingredients.
Take a look at our FAQs for some more ideas.
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Where is my nearest farm shop?
Devon has some of the best farm shops in the country, some have which have won national recognition in the Farm Retail Association Awards: https://farmretail.co.uk/.For a more comprehensive map of farm shops – along with other sources of local food – visit the Big Barn website: https://www.bigbarn.co.uk/.
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Where is my nearest farmers' market?
There are dozens of farmers’ markets spread across Devon that take place all year round. Food Drink Devon have compiled a useful list of markets on their website: https://fooddrinkdevon.co.uk/farmers-markets/
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What is a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) scheme?
CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) schemes typically involve a subscription to a local farm to receive regular shares of the harvest throughout the growing season. This creates a direct connection between farmers and members and a sense of community. Members are also given the opportunity to get involved with volunteering, farm visits, and community events.Find out more about Devon’s CSAs on the CSA network website: https://communitysupportedagriculture.org.uk/
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What is a food co-op?
Food co-ops, also known as buying groups or food clubs, involve people coming together to buy and share larger quantities of food, helping to reduce costs and food waste. Co-ops can range from just a couple of people sharing a veg box to large community groups buying wholesale produce.There may already be a local, community-run co-op in your area which you can join. Alternatively, Sustain have put together a toolkit to support people looking to set up there own co-op: https://www.sustainweb.org/foodcoops/
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What are food hubs?
Food hubs are a way shortening food supply chains and ensuring produce is affordable and convenient for local people. They gather food from a local, small scale producers and distribute it to commercial customers or directly to consumers through deliveries or collection points.Many of Devon’s food hubs are connected through the Good Food Loop, a not-for-profit wholesaler distribution network: https://goodfoodloop.org/. This includes Tamar Grow Local and In My Back Yard.
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How can I reduce food waste?
Recycle Devon is a resource for Devon residents to find out about reducing, reusing, and recycling. This includes information on tackling food waste as well as the Have your food and eat it! Recipe Book to help you make the most of your food: https://www.recycledevon.org/love-food-hate-wasteDevon is also supported by a network of community fridges and larders in which surplus food which would otherwise go to waste is made available for everyone for free. Find your nearest community fridge on the Recycle Devon website: https://www.recycledevon.org/community-fridges-and-larders
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Where can I buy local food online?
While some producers have their own websites, many sell through an online platforms such as the Open Food Network (https://about.openfoodnetwork.org.uk/) and Ooooby (https://www.ooooby.com/). These platforms allow producers to connect directly to their customers and sell at a fair price.