A NEW web-based database is being launched today (Thursday) to coincide with the start of West Devon Food Fortnight. Just over three months ago Tavistock EatWise, a Tavistock Forward project, won the prestigious award of Best Local Food Town in the South West. Part of EatWise?s winning strategy was the creation of a web-based interactive database featuring local producers, providers and consumers. John Taylor, chairman of Tavistock Forward and Eatwise, said the first phase of the database ? which was a major component of their ongoing objective to link food producers to food consumers ? had been completed. ?During the course of preparing our winning submission it became clear that there was currently no obvious local linkage between producers and consumers. I believe that our new web site will go a long way to addressing that problem,? Mr Taylor said. ?Tavistock can be very proud of the quality of its local food produce and we want to make it as easy as possible for all food consumers to link to local producers. EatWise is committed to promoting local food on both a regional and national basis,? he said. The new database has an integrated search facility which allows searching by either business type, location or produce. More than 300 written questionnaires are being sent to everyone currently on the database to ensure maximum accuracy of the information, which will be regularly updated. ?Within a few months any local business will be able to access their own website area where they will be able to list and update products and prices, special offers, menus etcetera,? Mr Taylor said. The database allows the public to submit reviews and Mr Taylor said this would have the longer term spin-off benefit of offering local residents and visitors an internet reference point for food shops, local pubs, hotels and restaurants. Access to the database can be found at http://www.tavistockeatwise.com">www.tavistockeatwise.com The West Devon Food Fortnight Trail will culminate with the Third Tavistock Food and Drink Festival on July 29 and 30.
