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PRIVACY
Retail & Consumer

South Devon Food Hub launches to support region's food and drink producers

Developed by co-founders, Ian and Julie Dennis, the enterprise is based on their farm in Longcombe near Totnes

Farmers Ian and Julie Dennis have opened the South Devon Food Hub(Image: Emily Fleur Photography)

A new food hub has launched in Devon to provide opportunities for local artisan food and drink producers to develop and grow their businesses.

The South Devon Food Hub is the brainchild of co-founders, Ian and Julie Dennis, the hub is based on their farm in Longcombe near Totnes. The pair hope the food hub will eventually provide micro offers, startup units, hot-desking, meeting rooms, a commercial kitchen and events and educational space for school visits.

As farmers, Mr and Mrs Dennis have a strong sustainability and regenerative commitment. The new hub is specifically targeting small food and drink producers who are looking to scale up their businesses and have greater connections to a supportive community and network.

The hub comes at a time when people are looking out for products which are locally sourced, with environmentally-friendly packaging and are sustainably and ethically produced.

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Mrs Dennis, said: “We are keen advocates of buying locally, both to support our local community and also to reduce our carbon footprint. In a discussion with Greg Parsons from Sharpham Cheese, who is also the chair of Food Drink Devon, the idea of an all-artisan local food producers’ ‘centre’ was suggested. Where better than on a commercial farm where some of the raw ingredients could also be grown?

"Initially we are simply providing a space where food and drink businesses can come together in a collaborative environment, enabling them to support each other, potentially share marketing, distribution and storage, so saving not only costs but improving business resilience in these uncertain times. The possibilities are endless. Fundamentally we are creating a community here, we have spoken to many small business owners who say they can feel quite isolated at times, so we feel there is a greater need for what we are trying to offer here.”

Mr Dennis, added: “We are very excited about our future plans for the South Devon Food Hub. As soon as we possibly can, we are hoping to provide a communal area to support the wider food and drink community. The communal area will include offices, a space to hot desk, a meeting and educational space, a commercial kitchen and micro-units for start-up businesses.”