Organic Food Celebrated

Around 20,000 visitors are expected at the ninth Organic Food Festival to be held at Bristol’s historic harbor-side this weekend. The UK’s largest celebration of all things organic, the festival is organized in conjunction with the Soil Association and with the support of Yeo Valley Organic. This year the festival is focusing on building support for farmers and producers, paving the way towards a sustainable food system.

Visitors will discover a world of organic food and drink, cosmetics, fabrics and textiles and home design. The event’s program offers cooking demonstrations by some of Britain’s most renowned chefs and a range of gardening presentations including garden-to-table cooking in the Gardening Pavilion. To round out the weekend there will be music and dancing and activities dedicated to children in the Kids Taste Tent.

‘Organic food is the ultimate in clean – good for the earth, good for people. Farming with the sun’s energy rather than fossil fuel intensive fertilizers and pesticides in a critical piece of building a sustainable food system,’ said festival manager Sarah Weiner. ‘This Festival is a way to have a wonderful weekend full of good food and drink, while celebrating and supporting the farmers and producers who are doing their work with an eye towards the future.’

The local Bristol Slow Food chapter has helped build support for the event and organized the involvement of local chefs. Also assisting in the organization of the festival are two University of Gastronomic Sciences students, Aine Morris and Hira Lesea.

To ensure that producers have the opportunity to talk amongst themselves and celebrate the accomplishments of the organic food movement, the organizers have planned an exhibitors party with roast lamb, pigs on a spit, local oysters, Violet Cake mini cupcakes and even sloe gin and blackberry cocktails – all organic of course!

Festival admission is 5 pounds.

Learn more at www.theorganicfoodfestival.co.uk