Qualifying Criteria

Qualifying Criteria for Members - farmers, growers, producers, processors or service providers of food and drink products.

All Members wishing to use the Brand must:

• Be located within the county of Devon.
• Actively promote ‘Love the Flavour’ products to consumers and customers by including logos on merchandising, websites, labels, menus, packaging, etc.
• Follow sustainable business guidelines and make a positive contribution to the natural environment by reducing waste, saving energy, recycling, etc.
• Supply up to date copy for publication via the ‘Love the Flavour’ website for use in the pocket guide by 14th February each year along with a completed application form and membership fees.
• To supply annual information regarding company performance and numbers of employees.
• Comply with all relevant Trading Standards and consumer protection legislation currently in force.

Hospitality & Retail Members wishing to use the Brand must:

• Source as many products as possible from Devon using products from at least 4 Food & Drink Devon producer Members.
• Be accredited, or consider joining, the Green Tourism Business Scheme. If not members, then comply with the minimum standards as set out in the GTBS Code of Practice for membership. Details available at: www.swtourism.co.uk

Accommodation Provider Members wishing to use the Brand must:

• Be accredited, or consider joining, the Green Tourism Business Scheme. If not members, then comply with the minimum standards as set out in the GTBS Code of Practice for membership. Details available at: www.swtourism.co.uk
• Be quality rated by Visit Britain or a similar accredited organisation approved by Visit Britain or be favorably reviewed/listed in a publicly recognised ‘quality’ guide such as Conde Naste, Good Food Guide.
• Source as many products as possible from Devon using products from at least 4 Food & Drink Devon producer Members

Producer Members wishing to use the Brand must use their best efforts to:

• Supply their produce to at least 4 existing hospitality or retail members.

Product Types

Meat & Poultry:

• Provenance – meat should be from animals bred, born, raised and finished in the county Devon (Annex B)
• Animal Welfare – Farm Assured British Beef and Lamb, Assured British Pigs, Freedom Food Certification, Certified Organic or equivalent.

Eggs:

• Eggs produced from chickens reared as above and packed on a farm within the county Devon (Annex B)
• Bird welfare – Assured Chicken Production, Freedom Food Certification, Soil Association Organic, LEAF Marque or equivalent

Dairy Products:

• Added value dairy products must be made from milk produced on a farm within the county Devon. Processing and packaging must also take place in the county Devon (Annex B)
• Animal Welfare – National Dairy Farm Assured Scheme, Freedom Food Certification, Certified Organic or the equivalent.

Fruits, Nuts and Vegetables:

• Where available fruits, nuts and vegetables must be grown, processed and packaged within the county Devon (Annex B)
• Where feasible, traditional and heritage varieties of seeds and vegetables from the county Devon (Annex B) or the South West region (Annex C) should be grown. Where a UK variety is not available, the source of the seed or vegetable should be as near to the UK as possible.

Wild or Certified Organically Farmed Game – Including Venison:

• All wild game must be caught or shot and processed within the county Devon (Annex B)

Fish:

• Sea fish, crustaceans, including eels, must be landed within the county Devon.
• Sea fish must be certified by Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the Marine Conservation Society or equivalent for sustainability
• Fresh water fish must be caught in stretches of the rivers within the county Devon (Annex B)
• Farmed Fish must be grown, harvested and packed in the County Devon (Annex B)

Juices & Alcoholic Drinks:

• If available, the primary fruit, honey or mead, which has been grown/collected within the county Devon (Annex B) or if not available in the County Devon (Annex B) from the South West Region (Annex C)
• Where feasible the primary fruit, honey or mead is to be harvested from orchards, fruit farms, etc that comply with LEAF Marque, Certified Organic or equivalent.

Processed Foods – Jams, Chutneys, Cakes, Pies, Ready Made Meals, etc:

• If available, the primary product of all processed foods must be a Devon product or if not available in the County Devon (Annex B) from the South West Region (Annex C)
• The processing and packaging must be within the county Devon (Annex B)
• No harmful chemical additives, artificial colours or preservatives must be used