THE Grow, Cook, Eat Festival this Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate the abundance and quality of the locally grown food.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
It also marks the equinox and the last day of summer when the harvest is at its richest here.
The festival is run jointly by Bundanoon and Moss Vale Community gardens and will be held between 10am to 4pm on the corner of Railway and Spring Street in Moss Vale.
Festival organiser Sandra Menteith said that the event, now in its third year, and the first in its new location, would appeal to people of all ages and with different interests.
"Those who want to learn about food growing will find talks and demonstrations happening throughout the day," she said.
"Rosemary Stanton will give a keynote talk on fairness and food and public health.
"Alexx Stuart of lowtoxlife will talk about the benefits of local, seasonal, nutritious food grown regeneratively without potentially harmful chemicals."
Ms Mentheith said Ms Stuart will be joined by Zoe McDonald, who is a member of the Moonacres Farm team at Fitzroy Falls, and who will talk about the ingredients that she has grown.
"Ms Stuart will then whisk up those ingredients into a magical summery dish," Ms Menteith said.
There will be musical performances throughout the day from local musicians such as Jo Caseley and Cilla Jane, and from the Sydney-based The Vegetable Plot.
Kids will be well provided for with fun activities courtesy of the Steiner School community of teachers and parents.
There will be a "farmers market" with 45 stallholders selling everything from plants to tools to jams and honey, to wine and honey mead.
The festival also features an outdoor food court with its international flavours including Japanese, Mexican, Italian, and Danish, as well as traditional favourites such as Devonshire teas, home made lemonade and sweet slices, berry pies and gelato.
"In tune with the festival theme of cooking and eating, they are all local businesses and community groups, and aim to use locally grown ingredients in their recipes.
"Local and cosmopolitan, fair to the farmer, fair to the people and to the environment, all in one package," Ms Menteith said.
Entry to the Festival is by donation; is the community gardens' annual fundraiser.
For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/growcookeatfestival/
