The Eco Hub were delighted to host CAG Devon Community Food/Growing Groups on our site.  

Our food system faces major challenges — from climate change, pesticide overuse, and declining soil health to rising food insecurity and inequality. In this workshop, we brought together community food groups to explore how collaboration can build stronger, fairer, and more resilient local food networks including local growers, foodbanks, larders, and community kitchens to explore how we can strengthen local food networks and build fairer, more sustainable food systems.

We shared ideas to reduce waste, improve access to fresh food, and collaborate more effectively across the community. Discussions covered topics like biochar, glyphosate, soil health, and organic growing practices, alongside practical inspiration from local projects.

Highlights included: Inspiring insights from Craig Jolly of the Mushroom Food Network in Exmouth, Patricia Bowerman who talked about the toxic legacy of glyphosate on our food system and soils, a discussion around biochar and it's capacity to adsorb toxins in soils/water and provide habitat for microbial networks and Vicky McLachlan who described how our natural systems can overcome and heal our damaged soils through more regenerative farming practices.  Participants were treated to a variety of homemade cakes, vegetable bakes and soups warmed on the Tawi Stove producing biochar in the process and went away with fresh veg/herbs!