WOMEN Working Together - WWT is now a well established and thriving organisation - launched in 2000 with the blessing of HRH Prince Charles, writes Pat Bown of the WFU Devon branch.

The chairman of the WFU, WI and TWG met with the aim of promoting and encouraging local food sourcing and preparation by giving demonstrations, tastings and talks to families, students, pensioners, mothers, toddlers and other groups. Events have been held in a variety of venues and there has been great interest in these events, showing that it can be cost effective to buy and prepare fresh food which is so much more nutritious than pre-packed oven ready meals. WWT's concept is "we are what we eat" and leaflets on menus and food values are displayed and people encouraged to read food labels.

WWT also work with other "like minded" groups, promoting local food. Taste of the West, NFU, Food for Thought, Farmers Markets, etc.

Members of all these organisation are automatically members of WWT. They now have a database of local food producers of where to source local food - everything from dairy products to jams and chutneys. They undertake this research in conjunction with a regional newspaper with their "Buy Local Campaign" and is invaluable both to private households and to catering establishments of all sizes - as an alternative to buying everything at the cash and carry.

Anyone who is interested in WWT or being included in the database, should contact Ann Cross on 01398 361212.

The Farm Crisis Network held their Plough Sunday Service in Heatherleigh Church. For those who do not know FCN has been in existence since before BSE. More than one person per day rings in for help. Anyone in the farming community in trouble should not hesitate to contact them. Help is there. Brian Warren is the Devon supervisor on 01363 84555 and Vaughan Ogden is the SW Co-ordinator 01643 708424.