WEST Devon cheese-making business Curworthy Cheese of Jacobstowe is the first producer in the area to benefit from the newly established West Devon Food and Drink Network.
The network was set up to offer business support and training opportunities to small scale local food and drink producers.
The network, championed and co-ordinated by Food and Drink Devon, has received £43,000-plus partnership funding support from Devon Renaissance, West Devon Borough Council and the Learning and Skills Council. It aims to promote collaboration and increase the productivity and competitiveness of businesses in the food and drink sector in West Devon.
Curworthy Cheese based at Stockbeare Farm has an 80-strong herd of Friesian cows, from which 150 cheeses a week are produced for sale at local farmers' markets, wholesalers and Waitrose stores.
West Devon Food and Drink Network is giving marketing, website development advice and designing new leaflets.
Owner and cheesemaker Rachel Stephens is excited about her involvement in the network. 'The new West Devon Network is 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.
'I am already seeing benefits that will help me grow my business.'
Cllr Terry Pearce, mayor of West Devon, said: 'This project aims to complement existing business support services and draw on the strength and commercial expertise of Food and Drink Devon. I would urge all food and drink producers in West Devon to take advantage of this excellent networking opportunity.'
Food and Drink Devon has a growing reputation for its Love the Flavour brand for outstanding quality local food and drink. The 120-member organisation has appointed Robin Deitch as West Devon Food and Drink Network's project co-ordinator.
His task is to provide networking events, tailor-made marketing and website development services and to signpost food and drink producers to relevant training seminars and 'meet the producer' events.
The network is running two buy local food events for local producers to showcase their products to commercial buyers and consumers.
The first is on September 17 at Hatherleigh Community Hall in partnership with Ruby County and the second on September 24 at Brimpts Farm, Two Bridges, in partnership with Dartmoor Partnership.
To participate in the West Devon Food and Drink Devon Network and to benefit from its free advice, training opportunities and events, contact Robin Deitch on 07817 043588 or [email protected]">[email protected]