Food for Thought
Barnstaple Food Access and Sustainability Event
We recently shared the good news that DCF has been successful in securing phase 2 funding for our work in North Devon, connecting food growers and and producers with residents potentially at risk of food insecurity.
The new project, Food for Thought, got underway at the beginning of October. The project team, along with partners One Northern Devon, One Barnstaple, and the University of Exeter, held an event on 27th October, which both celebrated what the project has learned so far, and looked forward to the new phase.
The event was held in the Corn Store, a brand-new venue at the heart of the council-owned Pannier Market in Barnstaple. For a food-focused project, it felt absolutely right to be surrounded by market traders, many of whom are themselves local growers and food producers. It began, as all good food events do, with a delicious lunch produced by local businesses, several of whom joined us for the conversation.
Photos from the event
The discussion brought together existing project participants, including from SPACE youth service and Bideford and Barnstaple foodbanks, with local producers and councillors. Thanks to the project’s links with the University of Exeter, we were also able to welcome researchers and practitioners from other parts of the county to share their experience and gain inspiration for their own work.
We began by reflecting on phase one. A highlight was hearing from some of the young people who had been involved in the first phase of the project, explaining what they had learned, and setting out some extremely helpful guidance on how the project could engage effectively with further young people going forward.
Their enthusiasm and initiative was extremely inspiring, and we’re committed to further exploring how young people can be equipped with the knowledge and resources to participate fully in community action to develop sustainable local food systems.
“It’s hard for people to access healthy, local food. There needs to be more support for food producers in distributing food”
The second part of the event brought everyone together, in conversations about working with young people, links with food producers, and wider issues of sustainable food systems. With such a wealth of experience in the room, we were delighted with the range of practical solutions for strengthening local food networks that emerged, as well as some aspirational thinking. Many conversations emphasised the vital role that accessible, nutritious food plays in fostering positive mental health and community wellness, particularly for individuals facing food insecurity. They also noted the need for strategic collaborations among various stakeholders, including local businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies, to create a more inclusive and resilient food system.
“We’re excited about the potential for Northern Devon to be a powerhouse for innovative ideas and ways of building community-based knowledge on sustainable food systems that help move us away from a “sticking plaster” approach to food insecurity.”
We’re grateful to all participants for sharing their energy and insight – there’s a clear shared vision for a more sustainable and equitable future which we hope the Food for Thought project will contribute to, and which will form the basis for future collaboration.
Read more about our work in food insecurity here.
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