Digital Inclusion for Equitable Access to Local Food
Running from November 2025 – March 2026, this project is supporting people to gain basic digital skills and confidence that will help them to either sell or access fresh and nutritious local food.
The project is funded by the UK Government’s Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund and is being run by Tamar Grow Local CIC, the Open Food Network and Coventry University.
As part of the project, Tamar Grow Local is delivering in-person workshops in Cornwall and Devon, working together with:
• Individuals and families on low incomes who are experiencing some level of digital exclusion
• Small-scale food producers who would like to gain confidence in getting online to sell local food
Part of the project will also involve software development work to enable Healthy Start vouchers to be accepted on the Open Food Network platform, so that recipients have the opportunity to spend their vouchers with local food hubs and producers and access nutritious, locally sourced food.
How to get involved
Workshops will be taking place in January and February 2026 at venues in Cornwall and Devon, offering an introduction to digital skills and in-person support to learn more about buying local food online, or about selling food in your local community.
Who are these workshops for?
Individuals looking to boost their digital skills and confidence to start buying local food online.
What will these workshops involve?
Hosted by members of the Tamar Grow Local team, sessions last for 2 hours and are free to join. There’s no need to book, just arrive in time for the start of the session. Workshops will include:
- an introduction to getting online
- tips for staying safe on the internet
- learning more about accessing local food online
- placing an order with Tamar Valley Food Hubs using a free voucher
Participants will be asked to fill out a survey at the start of the project which will contribute towards national research, and to complete another short survey about six weeks later to check progress.
When are these workshops taking place?
Monday 12th January, 10.00am-12.00pm at Keyham Green Places, Plymouth
Tuesday 13th January, 2.30pm-4.30pm at Harrowbarrow & Metherell Village Hall
Monday 19th January, 1.00pm-3.00pm at Devonport Library, Plymouth
Tuesday 20th January, 10.00am-12.00pm at Stoke Village Hub, Plymouth
Monday 26th January, 2.00pm-4.00pm at Four Greens Community Trust, Plymouth
Tuesday 27th January, 11.00am-1.00pm at the Wolseley Trust, Plymouth
Monday 2nd February, 2.00pm-4.00pm at Nudge Union Corner, Plymouth
Tuesday 3rd February, 1.00pm-3.00pm at City Centre Wellbeing, Plymouth
Monday 9th February, 12.30pm-2.30pm at the Wolseley Trust, Plymouth
Tuesday 10th February, 12.30pm-2.30pm at the Rees Centre, Plymouth
Who are these workshops for?
Food growers and producers looking to boost their digital skills and confidence to start selling their food products online.
What will these workshops involve?
Join members of the Tamar Grow Local team for a free, 2 hour session to:
- Get comfortable with the Open Food Network platform and online selling
- Understand how to keep your online product lists up to date, change stock levels and prices, and add new products
- Discover new market opportunities – including selling through food hubs and how to reach customers supported by the Healthy Start / Best Start schemes
- Learn effective ways to promote your products online – what works, what doesn’t, and how to stand out
Participants will be asked to fill out a survey at the start of the project which will contribute towards national research, and to complete another short survey about six weeks later to check progress.
The first 25 producers to book a session will receive a free tablet to help you manage your online listings on the go!
When are these workshops taking place?
Wednesday 14th January, 10.30am-12.30pm at Tamar Valley Food Hubs, Kelly Bray
Thursday 22nd January, 10.30am-12.30pm at the Tamar Valley Centre, Drakewalls
Thursday 5th February, 2.00pm-4.00pm at St Dominic Parish Hall
Thursday 12th February, 6.00pm-8.00pm at Callington Town Hall
Thursday 19th February, 2.30pm-4.30pm at the Apricot Centre, Dartington
Booking is essential for these sessions. Click below to secure your place.
This is a Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund project working to expand access to healthy local food, support local economies, and generate evidence on digital inclusion and food access.
