First Producer Market "a great success" at Tavistock College

THE FIRST Producer Market has been held at Tavistock College. Hailed as a "great success", it was a chance to meet local food producers, learn about the benefits of buying local produce, discover what goods are available and to try "food mapping"…

Organised jointly by Tamar Grow Local, Tavistock College and Transition Tavistock, the market took place on Thursday 7 February at Tavistock Community College's Octagon Centre.

Opened by Tavistock College head Helen Salmon, the evening was declared a "great success", and it's hoped that it will be "the first of many".

Food producers on hand included the Cornish Crisp Company, Cotehele Mill, Tamar Valley Apple Juice, Brilliant Fish, Freedrange Farm and Tamar Grow Local's mixed produce.

The evening also saw the launch of Tamar Grow Local's buying group programme, with the pilot group based in Tavistock.

"The food producers all felt it had been a worthwhile and enjoyable evening, and we have enough people signed up to enable us to start the Buying Group," said Tamar Grow Local's Simon Platten. "An excellent outcome."

Car club car

In addition to the Producer Market, Transition Tavistock  – a community-based initiative that aims to build local resilience and reduce the energy and resources we use – held its "speed-AGM" and shared the group's highlights from 2012. These included the arrival of the car club car (www.e-cocars.com); birth of the Inner Transition Group; the Energy Savers at Home programme; the launch of the SW Devon Community Energy Partnership with other community groups from across the area; and the Energy Quizmas tree.

"Tavistock College's Helen Harris inspired us with the work she is doing at the college to encourage more growing of plants and animals," said Kate Royston, Transition Tavistock co-ordinator. "The ambition is to provide fruit and vegetables to the college kitchen this year from the college's own allotments. Helen also introduced the developing forest school programme, run by Andy Jerrett."

Food mapping

The evening was rounded off by Jenny Tunley-Price, who demonstrated how to use the TGL food-mapping tool. If there's a favourite local producer that you feel is missing, please let Transition Tavistock know by emailing them at transitiontavistock@gmail.com

"We'd like to thank the food producers, Simon Platten and Jenny Tunley-Price for their time and their wares, and all those that came along from far and wide," said Transition Tavistock's Kate Royston. "They include Joddy Edwards from Sustainable South Brent and Paul Sousek from Transition North Cornwall and Cottage Farm."

If you'd like to get more involved, find out more or join Transition Tavistock at their next Green Drinks, go to www.transitiontavistock.org.uk. Future TT plans include organizing groups to design and manage a part of the Meadows and to form a community wood fuel group.

More pix: Producer Market at Tavistock College