Devon earns Silver for building a healthier local food system

Devon has moved from Bronze to Silver in the Sustainable Food Places awards, recognising a county-wide effort to make healthy, affordable and lower-impact food easier to access. The partnership links councils, charities, farmers, schools and community groups.

Devon County Council says working groups are tackling food insecurity, improving school food and supporting the local food economy. The award follows a three-year action plan and an independent assessment of how activity is coordinated across the county.

Sustainable Food Places explains that Silver recognises embedded partnerships, innovation and progress towards a whole-place approach. It is a framework award rather than proof that every household can now afford good food, and the announcement does not provide new figures on hunger, diet or farm income.

That distinction matters, but so does the structure. Devon now has a tested partnership and shared plan able to connect school meals, local producers and emergency food work instead of treating each challenge alone, with progress open to future assessment.

Sources

• Devon County Council — Devon wins silver award for healthy and sustainable food
• Independent supporting source