THE Harvest Workers’ Co-op, Okehampton’s newly formed social enterprise and educational hub opened their revamped Harvest Farm Shop on Monday this week, showcasing seasonal food and a fresh approach to local farming.

The workers’ co-operative also plans to develop an informative schedule of events which tackles our current food system; helping the local community to engage in the social, environmental and health issues surrounding food and farming.

June saw Okehampton’s community getting involved in a Crowdfunding campaign to support the group’s changeover period.

Running for a month, the rewards highlighted some of the activities yet to come, such as fermenting workshops, seasonal pizza evenings at the farm and tours and tastings with local producers.

The team ran in-store fundraisers each week, using ‘Good Cake for Good Cause’ as a way to get the town talking.

The £4,163 raised helped to give the shop a much needed makeover and to purchase equipment and insurance for their social aims.

With a launch event planned for August, the co-operative hopes to raise awareness of their community-focused events and to start a food conversation locally.

To find out more about what Harvest Workers’ Co-op are up to, visit www.harvestworkerscoop.org.uk or follow them on Facebook @harvestworkerscoop.  

The picture by James Bird shows the shop’s grand opening by co-ordinator of Okehampton’s Festival of Food and Drink Mish Flexman.