LOCAL food producers will be talking about food issues at a special free event to be held on Thursday, November 27, at All Saints Hall, Sidmouth.

LOCAL food producers will be talking about food issues at a special free event to be held on Thursday, November 27, at All Saints' Hall, Sidmouth.

From 7pm, Sidmouth Vision Group will host three speakers; Mary Bagwell of Sidmouth Trawlers, Catherine Broomfield of Blacklake Farm, Ottery St Mary and Ruth Hancock of Fresh & Green Veg Box.

Local producers from the area, including Four Elms, Otterton Mill, Basterfield & Son and Coldharbour Farm, will have stalls at the event and there will be a chance to discuss issues raised during the evening.

Sustainability, localism and business resilience will be on the agenda and there is bound to be discussion about news that Riverford Farm Shop may have to move from Sidmouth Garden Centre in two years' time because of a planning enforcement notice issued last week by East Devon District Council.

Vision Group secretary Jeremy Woodward said Thursday's event was "to encourage debate and understanding about the issue of sustainability, what it means to be a local business and how we can all support and strengthen the local economy."

Sidmouth Help Link, the Gardening Club and Fairtrade Devon will also be represented during the evening, which will have a supper of homemade soup and bread served during the break.

Trump's, the Dairy Shop, Ganesha, Barazza and Long's the butchers have donated prizes for the evening.