BUSINESSES on Dartmoor are being brought together to promote local produce and make sure it is accessible to everyone — including visitors.

The Dartmoor Partnership is campaigning to get every establishment on the moor to think about what is on their doorstep and is bringing together local producers with hotels, B&Bs, restaurants and pubs.

The intention is to get everyone doing their bit to make a sustainable Dartmoor economy in these difficult times. 

The Dartmoor Farmers Association, a cooperative of over 30 moorland farmers, endorsed by HRH Prince of Wales, has been working with the partnership for two years in an effort to provide Dartmoor beef and lamb to tourism establishments on the moor.

The partnership has provided support and direct contact with the tourism industry to ensure that this unique and tasty produce becomes better known.

Chairman of the partnership Mark Walker said: 'It is important for everyone on Dartmoor to sell their produce locally, to promote the economic sustainability of the area.

'In supporting the Dartmoor farmers and other local producers, we are ensuring they can continue to farm on the moor, and continue to manage the landscape which we know and love.

'Without the farmers, there is no Dartmoor.'

Jess Whistance of the partnership said: 'We have an abundance of excellent local produce on the moor, from beef and lamb to cheese and honey.

'What we are lacking is a way to get that message out to the rest of the world. We are bringing together our members – restaurants, hotels, B&Bs, guest houses and pubs — with local producers in an effort to get local food on the menu.

There is a real story to tell and it is up to us to tell it. We want to make sure that these producers don't disappear through lack of support.'

Through workshops, events, training and classes, the Dartmoor partnership has assisted more than 400 local businesses.

Jess said: 'It has been a tough few years and we are not out of the woods yet. We are in a position to be able to offer marketing and promotion for local businesses when they are struggling and this is something that is imperative right now.

'We need to pull together, buy local and show Dartmoor for the awesome place it really is.

'I believe that the work we are doing to support our members is really starting to show its worth.'