MORE than 40 local food producers will be showcasing their goods at a free food and drink festival being held in conjunction with Devon's Celebration of Food at the Two Bridges Hotel near Princetown on October 29 from 10.30am to 3.30pm. 

The producers will be available to talk about their products while visitors to the event savour, taste or buy. The festival offer a great opportunity for West Devon residents to get to know where their food comes from and save on food miles by supporting local businesses.

There will be a wide variety of produce available to taste and buy including goats cheeses, tangy chutneys, preserves and delicious jams.  

Also on offer to tempt the palate will be home made breads, cakes and pastries, succulent sides of beef, pork, lamb and venison, superb homemade sausages, organic burgers, pates, pies and a hog roast. And to round off a taste buds treat there will be fruit cordials, apple juices, ciders, wine and beer.

The free event is open to both the public and commercial buyers, and will be especially useful for hotels, bed and breakfast businesses and restaurants to source new products for their menus.

Mayor of West Devon Cllr Alison Clish-Green said: 'This is a chance to celebrate the wonderful range of products available locally and to recognise the importance of this sector to our local economy.'

Twinks Read of Willow Tree Farm Jams and Chutneys said: 'These events are a great opportunity for local producers like myself to get our products tasted by so many new customers. 

'Last year the event was great.  Lots of local people and holiday-makers visited and took the opportunity to try new tastes and all the products were local which gave an added experience to their holiday. 

Jane Barber of Lovaton Farm Traditional Breeds said: 'This event is firmly in my calendar as last year I had a great time making new leads and meeting new customers which have continued throughout the year. 

'I hope to make even more sales leads this year.'

Robin Deitch, Food & Drink Devon network co-ordinator said: 'The recent Food and Drink Festival at Hatherleigh was a great success with more visitors than ever and all the producers benefited from many new sales leads.

'These events are a great opportunity to network with like-minded businesses and show how important local food is to the region.'

The events are organised by Food & Drink Devon who offer business support and training opportunities to small scale local food and drink producers throughout Devon.

The Food & Drink Devon Network Development Project is funded by Greater Dartmoor LEAF, incorporating funding from the EU, Defra, SWRDA and LEADER and West Devon Borough Council, South Hams District Council, Teignbridge District Council and Food & Drink Devon.