New partner for Village project

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A partnership proposing a revolutionary sustainable community in Truro has announced a new collaborator – the charity behind one of Cornwall’s biggest brands.

Cornwall Food Foundation, the charity which runs the award-winning Fifteen Cornwall at Watergate Bay, has joined the partnership behind Higher Newham Farm and Village, a project which aims to transform a 92 acre site into an exemplar village and community farm.

The Foundation hopes to open a restaurant onsite that will draw from produce grown and reared on the farm, demonstrating the journey from field to fork.

It will also offer a cook school and training kitchen for people of all ages and abilities to learn about preparing and sharing food.

L-R: Jeremy Ward from Duchy College, Vicky Garner representing Living Villages and Matthew Thomson, CEO of Fifteen Cornwall
L-R: Jeremy Ward from Duchy College, Vicky Garner representing Living Villages and Matthew Thomson, CEO of Cornwall Food Foundation

The move to join the partnership, together with Duchy College and development company Living Villages, represents a key stage in the development of Cornwall Food Foundation, which has ambitions to open two new restaurants in the next five years.

The restaurant will not be part of the Fifteen family of restaurants created by Jamie Oliver and will operate under its own brand, with a name yet to be confirmed.

Matthew Thomson, chief executive of Cornwall Food Foundation, said: “Our mission is to inspire people to make positive changes in their lives through food, so this is a very exciting development in the future of our charity.

“We have been carefully researching the feasibility of a charity-run place to eat and learn at Higher Newham Farm and Village, and we are excited to announce that we will be joining the partnership.”

Proposals for Higher Newham Farm and Village will be on display as part of a public consultation pop-up shop event on Lemon Quay, Truro from May 28-31. People can also engage in the consultation online.

The plans are due to be submitted to Cornwall Council in mid to late June, with a planning decision during Autumn.

Subject to grant of planning permission, the Cornwall Food Foundation restaurant would be expected to open during 2017.