THE NEED FOR SEED

local produce The Kitchen Table is good to go TOTNES based The Kitchen Table like many of the region’s caterers have been adapting to Covid. They are still catering where appropriate and branched out into supplying online Persian inspired Middle Eastern/North African hot food to takeaway and setting up a pantry shop. Sima Cutting said: “We have now established a pantry at our kitchen unit; selling home & locally made items such as ferments, granola, cooking sauces, dressings, frozen ready meals, burgers & loads more. In addition, we sell ready to eat foods such as homemade sausages rolls, organic drinks, vegan crisps & delicious seasonal salads - lunch or your picnic needs sorted!” The Kitchen Pantry is open weekdays Mon - Fri 10am-3pm at Unit 6 Burke Rd, TQ9 5XL. The Kitchen Takeaway is also open Thursday & Friday evenings from 5-8.30pm

Oxen Park Farm - find the menu at www.thekitchentable.org. uk. Order online anytime in the week or on the evenings, giving at least an hour’s notice. Last orders 8pm. Collection from The

Deliciou O s bags ofo rg rganic and anic Veg Bags Kitchen Table unit. biodynamic veg grown in harmony Email: veg@onthehill.camp with nature here in the Teign Valley Phone: 07939575364

Collection in Ashton each Tuesday. Facebook: @OxenParkDevon

Wholesale produce also available. S m a l l - s u i t a b l e fo r a n i n d i vi d u a l o r c o u p l e £9 . 5 0 M e d i u m - s u i t a b l e fo r a c o u p l e o r s m a l l fa m i l y £1 2 L a r g e - s u i t a b l e fo r a fa m i l y £1 6 *Oxen Park Farm is in conversion to Organic and Biodynamic with Demeter W W W . O N T H E H I L L . C A M P /O X E N P A R K F A R M The Need for Seed (saving)

THE COVID-19 pandemic has put a massive strain on the global seed industry, with all companies struggling to keep up with demand, and many running out of stock of gardeners’ favourite varieties. Fred Groom, founder of Dartington’s Vital Seeds said: “It’s fantastic that many people have taken up gardening and there has been increased interest in local food, however it has also shined a light on the importance of people saving their own seed.” If the ‘Red List of Endangered Crafts’ extended to horticultural skills, seed-saving would almost certainly be on it. With the loss of seed-saving skills over the last century gardeners and growers have lost a crucial element of the resilience that comes through growing food. Fred added: “The ability to save our own seed is absolutely crucial to the survival of what diversity in food crops we still have. The responsibility to save this diversity lies largely in the hands of individuals and communities and can not be left in the hands of a few seed companies which come and go through the forces of economics. Food and food sovereignty must not be boiled down to pure economics. “By learning to save your own seed, you can be a part of building a food system that is far superior to what we have now. A food system that is more resilient, more diverse, and more socially and ecologically literate. “Saving seed is such a fascinating process that even without all the ecological and social benefits, it’s worth learning for the pure joy of working with plants in the intimate way that seed saving requires.” You can steward your favourite varieties, share your seeds with friends, build community around seeds, become a more empowered gardener or grower. Fred is keen to pint out that Vital Seeds have loads of useful info about seed-saving on their website and social media pages. “We have also set up an online seed-saving course for people that want to take their learning to the next level.” l Find out more at www.learntosaveseeds.com, and www.vitalseeds.co.uk. All photos by Jody Daunton 22 Advertising: 01392 346342 adverts@reconnectonline.co.uk www.reconnectonline.co.uk