Time is running out for the district's quality food and drink producers, hoteliers, publicans and retailers who want to be listed in an annual directory set to put the area on the food lover's map of Britain, writes Nigel Canham.
The newly-formed South Devon and Dartmoor Food and Drink group is poised to publish 15,000 directories which will inform residents and visitors alike where to find and enjoy the best local produce.
With practical and financial help from Teignbridge Council already in hand and the prospect of grants in the offing, the group is planning an ongoing promotions strategy which will include a web site. But those who want to feature in the 2006 directory have just two days to act, as group co-founder and herbal tea producer Helen Lynch explained. 'The designers are poised and ready to go and the presses are waiting,' she said.
'By next month, the 2006 South Devon and Dartmoor Food and Drink directories will be available throughout the area, but we must know now if anyone else wants to join us in this exciting project.'
So far, around 20 companies have signed-up, including well known names such as Teignworthy Brewery, Rod and Ben's Organics, Shute Fruit, Poole Farm Pork and Ashburton's Agaric Restaurant. Other businesses include a mobile crepery, farm shops, cider producers, a cookery school and a vineyard.
The group's chairman, Ron Barter, of Brimblecombe's Cider, Dunsford, said: 'I look forward to a bright future for all the producers and those who stock their goods and would strongly urge others who are passionate about quality food and drink to come on board,' he said. Details of membership and entries in the 2006 directory are available from Helen Lynch on 01647 252520 or via helen@rural marketing.co.uk.