Exeter Connect presents a ten day programme of field trips, talks and workshops culminating in The Big Exeter Feast, a one-day conference on Thursday 23 November 2023 at Exeter Community Centre.
The events bring local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations and food businesses together to explore what an integrated and eco-friendly food system might look like in and around Exeter, and how to make it a reality.
The programme begins on Monday 13 November at 1.30pm with a tour of the St Sidwell’s Community Centre garden followed by a preserves-making workshop and a conversation about food access and sustainability.
On Tuesday 14 November there is a field trip to the Growing Project plot at Prince Charles Road allotments from 10am-1pm, followed by an opportunity to find out more about the work of Exeter Food Action and meet staff and volunteers at the charity’s Marsh Barton headquarters between 4-5pm and again between 5-6pm.
On Wednesday 15 November from 2.30-4.30pm a tour of St Thomas Community Garden is followed by chat and a hot drink at the Shillingford Organics farm shop and cafe on Cowick Street.
Plant Power! presents a plant-based wholefoods workshop from 9.30am-12.30pm on Thursday 16 November at the Westbank Community Health and Care Centre in Exminster. Attendees will also cook healthy dishes to take home.
Then from 2-3pm Exeter Library hosts a talk by Exeter Community Fridge about local redistribution of free surplus food, and from 6.45-9pm a workshop at Exeter Community Centre explores how the amount of food produced within 30 miles of Exeter which is sold into the city could be increased from 2% to 20%.
On Saturday 18 November a tour of Shillingford Organics includes a tractor and trailer ride around the farm and its fields from 10am-1pm.
Then from 6.30-9pm St Sidwell’s Community Centre hosts a Refugee Support Devon fundraiser featuring a menu of dishes prepared by six asylum seekers living in Exeter.
On Monday 20 November a guided visit to Sage Green, a social enterprise which grows organic fruit and vegetables in a market garden on the Powderham Estate, will set off from the Westbank Centre in Exminster at 9.30am. Participants will help harvest crops and make a healthy meal to take away.
On Tuesday 22 November a drop-in workshop from 6-8pm offers to teach attendees how to cook cheap and nutritious foods using hayboxes and wonderbags, with Exeter Community Energy contributing energy-saving kitchen tips.
The programme then culminates on Thursday 23 November with The Big Exeter Feast, a one day conference from 10am-3.30pm at Exeter Community Centre that will explore themes including food justice, food waste, good food governance, better eating, local food economy and urban growing.
There will be presentations, panel discussions and displays featuring material from the pre-conference events programme. A simple lunch will be provided.
All Big Exeter Feast events are free except for the Refugee Support Devon fundraising meal on Saturday 18 November, which costs £10 plus donations.
For more information about the programme and to book places visit the Exeter Connect Eventbrite or contact Exeter Connect on 01392 205800 or via email at exeterconnect@eci.org.uk.
Exeter Connect provides free advice, training, networking and events to Exeter’s voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. It is part of Exeter Community Initiatives.
