About Us

Food Drink Devon and University of Exeter are working together with a number of local businesses to bring together the diverse voices of the South West's food and drink ecosystem - from farmers to chefs, founders to changemakers - and equip them with the tools, knowledge, and networks to grow, adapt and lead.

Maia Logo
Food Drink Devon logo in a green heart shape
Clockwork Marketing logo with constellation and star symbols above the company name.
University of Exeter crest with the motto 'Lucem Sequimur'
Devon Food Partnership logo with a green circle containing a plant sprout and stylized fields.
Bishop Fleming logo
buddy creative logo in bold orange text
Stephens Scown full colour logo with stylized S and text
BoxWay packaging group logo

Our Principles

Celebrate Provenance

We champion the unique identity of the South West - its landscapes, its people and its produce. Locality is not just a label; it's the substance of who we are and a story worth telling.

Drive Sustainability

We commit to sustainable practices that protect our environment, support our communities, and ensure long-term viability for our businesses.

Pursue Excellence

Quality is our currency. We believe that values-led businesses - those built on integrity, relationships, and craft - offer the best value in a competitive marketplace.

Nourish People

We are dedicated to building an equitable food system - one that makes nutritious food accessible to all while providing good livelihoods to those who produce it.

Empower Innovation

We embrace change. Through insight, experimentation, and bold thinking, we unlock new opportunities and future-proof our sector.

Build Resilience

UK food security faces major challenges, but we tackle finance, supply, climate, and consumer issues together - complacency isn’t an option.

Connect & Collaborate

We are stronger together. Gather is a space to share ideas, spark partnerships, and build a community that uplifts every member.

Our Commitment

Gather is more than an event - it's a catalyst. We commit to ongoing dialogue, shared learning, and collective action that helps South West food and drink not just keep up, but stand out.

Modern building courtyard with glass walls and people talking and sitting on benches
Six people standing outside a modern building, posing with an orange sign that says 'gather Food Drink Summit'.
Person wearing a green apron at a market or food fair, presenting products to attendees.
Modern glass building with illuminated interior, people walking outside, trees with autumn leaves.