A NEW countywide community food growing initiative was launched last week — and Chagford hosted the ceremony.

The Home Grown-Community Owned (HogCO) project launch took place at Proper Job, the sustainable living centre.

HogCO, a Community Council of Devon programme, is funded through the Big Lottery Fund's Local Food Programme. It will work with rural communities across Devon to develop skills and opportunities needed to grow their own food.

The event saw HogCO staff introduce the initiative to current, and potential partners. Several organisations connected with the programme, including Dartmoor National Park and the Devon Playing Fields Association, attended.

Jo Winterburn, HogCO staff member, said: 'The launch was about introducing the project and telling people what it is about. It was very successful and well supported.'

Some 50% of Devon parishes currently have no community food growing opportunities. The five-year programme aims to help 70 local food initiatives across the county to get underway and will act as a support and advisory body for those growing their own food.

The other partners in the project include Devon Association of Parish Councils, Devon Playing Fields Association and Devon Association of Community Buildings.

Lesley Smith, secretary of Devon Association of Parish Councils, said: 'It is clear from the enthusiastic responses received from member councils that this project has really struck a chord.'

Proper Job is soon to launch its own, community support agricultural project, 'Chagfood'.

It will enable people to employ someone to grow food for them on an allotment.

Nicky Scott of the Proper Job organisation, said: 'It will be like having your own allotment, but having someone else grow it for you — there are people with land, but no expertise, and people with expertise and no land, and this will be putting them together.'

Chagfood is due to launch on November 12.