The West Devon Food & Drink Network funded by Devon Renaissance, West Devon Borough Council and the Learning & Skills Council was created to promote collaboration between food and drink businesses and to increase productivity and competitiveness in the food and drink sector in West Devon. 

There are over 280 businesses in the network. Many producers benefited from ‘Meet the Buyer’ events throughout the region, while others have taken advantage of the numerous free seminars in marketing and PR, and some have gained qualifications in Food Hygiene.  Nearly 600 hours have been spent with businesses helping them with websites, press releases, marketing advice and business planning.

The network co-ordinator, Robin Deitch said “The network has been a great success over the last year with businesses benefiting from increased opportunities to sell their produce through new outlets, others gaining new skills and all taking advantage of being in a wider network of like minded businesses that have helped the food and drink sector as a whole to grow”.

Michael Smith, Chairman of Food & Drink Devon said, “We will continue to support The West Devon Food & Drink Network over the coming year.

Curworthy Cheese owner, Rachel Stephens has been very positive about her involvement in the Network  “The West Devon Network has been a great help to local small producers.  The interaction between food and drink businesses offers a great exchange of ideas from which we can all learn.”

Cllr Terry Pearce, Mayor of West Devon, said: “This project aimed to complement existing business support services and draw on the strength and commercial expertise of Food & Drink Devon.  I would urge all food and drink producers in West Devon to take advantage of this excellent networking opportunity.”