WEST Devon will be firmly on the food map of the region if a new initiative takes off. A food trail is being devised so that residents and visitors can taste the very best of what is on offer in the borough. The idea follows the recent success of Tavistock being named Best Food Town in the South West. The initiative, West Devon Food Fortnight Trail, is aimed at boosting businesses and consumer knowledge. It will be launched in the run up to the Tavistock Food and Drink Festival on July 29 and 30. The proposal is being driven by West Devon Borough Council, in partnership with the food festival committee. Both Tavistock and Okehampton Town Councils have been involved in initial discussions regarding the project. Robert Plumb, the borough?s regeneration officer who is organising the food trail, has written to more than 700 businesses across West Devon, ranging from restaurants, pubs, hotels and farm shops to local food producers and retailers. He said: ?We are inviting all businesses who have a connection with the food and drink industry to stage events or offer promotions in the two weeks leading up to the food and drink festival. ?It may be that they could offer meal deals or special discounts, you could get people doing displays, people opening up their farms, producers demonstrating their processes ? it could be anything that people feel will be of interest to the public.? A map detailing all the participants on the food trail will be published and special logos and signposting are also being planned. Mr Plumb said: ?Obviously, some people won?t want signs, but we will work with the individual event holders to decide the best way of drawing attention to what they are doing.? The food trail will start on Saturday July 15, carnival day in Tavistock, and will continue throughout the following fortnight, culminating in the food and drink festival. It also ties in with the ongoing EatWise, EatLocal campaign in the borough, which is being spearheaded by Tavistock Forward. David Incoll, the borough council?s chief executive, said: ?I think we are going to be surprised at the range of different types of businesses we have here in West Devon. ?It?s a question of encouraging local people and visitors to experience the wonderful range of food establishments and suppliers that are in the area, and the council is delighted to be working in partnership with the organisers of the food festival to boost local businesses.? Jeff Stackhouse, chairman of Tavistock Food and Drink Festival, said the food fortnight would be a wonderful way of promoting local awareness of both the food festival and local food producers and outlets in the West Devon area. He said: ?The festival is just one part of the area?s justified reputation as a food centre of excellence, and we are working closely with EatWise who worked so hard to win this prestigious award. The food trail is a natural link between that and the food festival.? Mr Stackhouse said organisers were expecting more than 8,500 visitors to this year?s festival, where they would enjoy sampling some of the region?s best food and drink. Businesses and individuals interested in being involved in the Food Fortnight Trail are asked to contact Robert Plumb at West Devon Borough Council by May 26. For more information, call Mr Plumb on 01822 813620 or e-mail rplumb@westdevon. gov.uk