The Food for Life Partnership (FFLP) has been commissioned by NHS Devon to support the delivery of the programme in the county.  They are now looking for a locally based manager to work directly with schools to improve the knowledge and consumption of healthy and sustainable food, act as the first point of contact regarding the FFLP programme for schools, caterers, producers and others, and ensure that regional stakeholders are engaged in and value the FFLP programme.

Fixed term contract until 31st March 2013 with annual extension to March 2015 depending on further funding. 15 hours per week (0.4 FTE). Salary £29,877 pro rata.

A full job description is available from the Soil Association web site.

On March 3rd a group from TET enjoyed an excellent morning at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park in the company of Kevin Frediani, curator of Plants and Gardens. We had come to learn about the vertical growing system which is providing much of the feed for the animals. However, we learnt much more.

For many of us who have previously been to the zoo (more than 5 years ago) it challenged our view of the role that zoos can play in sustainable living and the crucial relationship between plants and animals. Zoos, at least Paignton, could become TET’s most visited tourist attraction.

We were not expecting to be shown around the zoo or to see how the ethical motif of sustainability underpins so much of their work. As we know biodiversity, both in plants and animals, plays a leading role in our survival and here it is in action led by a passionate advocate in the field.

Following a slide show of the verticrop system illustrating how this intensive vertical growing system can produce huge crops, without soil, crops that have higher nutritional value and are protected from pests and diseases, we were led through to see the system. Besides providing constant food for the animals, the application of this model could have a use in providing fresh food in cities or any land challenged area.

In other situations it frees up land that can then be used for crucial habitats for diffent species. It also produces fresh food where it is needed thus cutting air-miles. We could appreciate why this work has received so many awards both nationally and internationally.

Finally, we were shown a small system using fish and their by-products to nurture vegetables. We are hoping to have a future event in Teignmouth on this topic. Watch this space!

Seedy Saturday

Saturday 11th February 10am-2pm
Methodist Hall,
Le Molay Littry Way, Bovey Tracey
Free Entry – Seeds only 50p!

Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a complete beginner, come and stock up on really good vegetable seeds at 50p a pack!

Bring your saved seeds, to swap.

There will be expert advice, home-made refreshments, tombola and a junior-gardener area, where under 16s can pot up and take home free seeds!

Good wheelchair access.

Ring Gail on 01626 832478 for more information

Or e-mailgailbanham@talktalk.net

Please help us to restore Teignmouth’s heritage walled garden in Eastcliff Park. We are meeting on Wednesday 2^nd March to clear some ivy, working with Sian Avon, Teignbridge District Council’s Senior Countryside Ranger.

Times are 10 till 2, with gloves and large tools provided, but bring your own secateurs.

For further details call Mike on 07877 797271, or email info@teigntransition.org.uk.

Please help us advertise the event by downloading and displaying the attached poster.

Teign Estuary Transition Food Group is presenting an inspirational talk by Anne Stobart on growing medicinal herbs in your garden.

8:00pm on Tuesday 1st March at The TAAG Centre, Northumberland Place, Teignmouth. The talk if free, but donations for Teign Estuary Transtion are welcomed.

Anne is a consultant medical herbalist. For further information see her web site at: http://www.herbaid.co.uk

Please download a poster for this event if you are able to display a copy.

A UN report shows that the global consumption of fish hits a record high, while the status of the world’s fish stocks have not improved. See BBC news at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12334859

Come to Branscombe on the East Devon coast between 10am and 4pm, to meet Chris Holland, founder of Wholeland, to discover edible plants, traditional folk remedies and practical applications. Enjoy a 2-3 mile walk and a lunchtime cook-out of gathered fruit, leaves and roots on the beach.

Meet at Branscombe car park. Cost £35 per person. Booking essential – see further details on the Devon in Focus web site or contact Sue Beegan: sue.beegan@nationaltrust.org.uk

Thank you for taking part in this challenge. Between us, we have already increased our awareness of the issues around using locally sourced food. Local papers are interested in our experiment; we’ve got items in the Teignmouth Post and Herald Express.

Please let us know how you got on with this challenge, whether you’ve been eating locally produced food for years and sailed through, or whether you couldn’t get started, or are somewhere in between.

What can we each do next as Transition Group members, to increase local resilience? Will you continue trying to source local food? Please leave a comment.

The week’s experiment is drawing to a close. How about arranging with friends or family to share a meal tomorrow to which you each bring a contribution of locally produced or sourced food?