A GROUP of film-makers have chosen Okehampton as the source of a half-hour programme on local food production following the foot and mouth crisis.
The programme, due to be shown on Carlton in November, is all about what the town is doing to bounce back from the crisis in terms of promoting good, wholesome local food.
Available Light Film Productions will be in Okehampton over the next few days shooting the programme which has the working title of 'Bitter Harvest.'
Production manager of Available Light Film Productions Phillipa Robinson said Okehampton had been chosen because it was a good example of what was once a thriving market town.
'Traditional market trading and food production has taken a battering because of foot and mouth, the beef crisis plus three big supermarkets moving into the town,' she said.
'If anything, the show is trying to get over to people that we have not been the most discerning customers in recent years and perhaps we should be by taking more notice of what we are eating.'
The film team will be visiting Okehampton Farmers' Market on Saturday morning where there will be a celebration of 'Apple Day.'
There will be an identification of locally produced apples and a demonstration of how these can be turned into a variety of delicious apple juices.
Local producers who have stalls at the farmers' market will feature in the programme and the film crew will be speaking to Okehampton College food technology teacher Jean Harris to show how the college is educating the next generation on food.
Presented by food expert Simon Parkes, who regularly features on Radio Four, the programme will also focus on supermarket Waitrose which is working with local producers and attracting new customers to the town.
'We are trying to steer away from foot and mouth, which has already been covered extensively,' said Phillipa. 'Although we have to explain how we have got to the situation we are at now, the programme will give a positive outlook for food and local producers.'
Part of Carlton Westcountry TV's current affairs films, the programme is scheduled for November 25 but this could be subject to change so check your TV listings.
Okehampton Farmers' Market organiser Derek Godfrey-Brown said the Okehampton area had a wealth of food producers and a determination to get back on its feet.
'This programme, I hope, will show Okehampton in a positive light and the efforts that are being made to boost the local food industry,' he said.