Food Networks

Tamar Grow Local is working with other partner organisations to explore how the supply of local food and produce could be increased in the Tamar Valley by working on a co-operative basis.

A number of potential models could work in this area, including growers co-operatives, Community Supported Agriculture (www.cuco.org.uk and www.localfoodworks.org ), and local distribution hubs to enable this to happen. In its heyday there were growers’ co-operatives, some with 600 members in the Tamar Valley, so history may have something to teach us. This could bring many benefits, including sharing equipment, bulk purchasing, marketing, packaging, branding, distribution, and research.

We are also looking to develop a local food map, which will publicise local B&Bs, restaurants, pubs, campsites and shops that serve local produce, as well as growers and roadside stalls. Please let us know if this applies to you!

Please contribute your ideas to our ‘think tank’ on how this could work and how it might be able to help your business. Contact us on info@tamargrowlocal.org.uk

Photo credit- painting by Mary Martin