The Homegrown Food Festival aims to bring the people of Northallerton and surrounding towns and villages closer to the food that is produced on their doorstep.
The event will showcase food and drink produced from within a 30 mile radius of the town and is an opportunity to celebrate local food producers and their products.
The festival is the first event of its kind in Northallerton and is being
organised by the Local Food Matters group of Northallerton and Villages Community Forum. It is a not for profit event, making it an ideal venue for small, up and coming food producers to sell their products and even launch their businesses.
“I am really excited to be involved in the Homegrown Food Festival. I think North Yorkshire has a wonderful abundance of small and exciting food producers. The festival is all about great local food, honestly produced by passionate people who love food. It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase my muesli business, running a small cottage industry from my little kitchen! Although I can’t source all my ingredients locally, I make sure I toast my oats, nuts and seeds in locally harvested rapeseed oil pressed without chemicals and honey from the North Yorkshire Moors where I live – I think that is really important.”
Charlotte Pett
Osmotherly
During the day, there will be cookery demonstrations from a variety of experts, including Swinton Park Cookery School and Bedale Community Bakery.
The event will also feature a ‘Grow Zone’ with fun, foodie activities for children including how to grow your own fruit and vegetables, a ‘Food for Free’ foraging workshop and a bicycle powered smoothie machine!
Live music will be provided by the renowned folk singer Wendy Arrowsmith and the Swale Valley Stompers.
Emma Casson, the Festival administrator said;
“Our group is passionate about helping people get in touch with local food and for them to have a great time in the process. This region has such a wealth of artisan bread and cheese makers, expert bee keepers and micro brewers. The festival in Northallerton will bring them to one place, so visitors can sample what’s on offer and so everyone benefits.”
Stall fees start from £10 for community groups and from £30 for businesses. Producers of dairy/pastry/meat products, cordials, wine, beer, cider, grains and flours, herbs, plants, fruit and vegetables and local community groups involved in food related projects, can download a booking form (here), or for more information please contact Emma Casson on 07896140669 or email homegrownfoodfest@gmail.com