South West Food Hub
17.09.2020
DCE Partners including Heart of South West LEP, the University of Exeter and National Farmers Union (NFU) are supporting the development of the South West Food Hub.
The South West Food Hub is a Community Interest Company. It was formed in May 2020 to create a collaborative community to support the region’s food network to buy local and establish shorter, more sustainable supply chains. They work across the South West’s food sector, focusing primarily on public procurement.
They will pilot an online platform that will link public sector buyers with regional producers and suppliers. Anchor institutions, e.g. schools and hospitals, will be involved in the pilot, alongside food and drink businesses.
They are also supporting a number of other projects. These aim to help the regional food community during the Covid-19 pandemic, whilst championing their aspiration to build back better.
This includes
- Signposting to a fantastic range of local producers and suppliers in their local food map.
- Carrying out research to better understand how food businesses in the region are being affected by Covid-19.
- Championing the use of local produce in catering education.
How is this helping Devon reach net-zero?
Action F5. Anchor institutions to consider buying local through the South West Food Hub
Action F6. Organisations to provide meals aligned to the government’s Eatwell Guide and incentivise sustainable food-practices through procurement procedures.
