Organisers of North Yorkshire’s biggest free food and live music festival are giving local people the chance to be part of the event next month.
Northallerton’s Homegrown Food Festival returns on Sunday June 26th, celebrating its fifth year, and will feature local bands, top chefs and a range of locally produced food and drinks.
However, to make this year an even bigger success than last year, which saw a record attendance of over 6000 visitors, organisers of the Homegrown Food Festival are calling on local people for their support.
Volunteer duties range from greeting visitors, selling programmes, assisting renowned local chefs in the Food Theatre and Kids’ Kitchen, site marshalling and site set up and tear down, to dressing up in vegetable costumes to promote activities.
The Homegrown Food Festival, which has grown to be North Yorkshire’s biggest free food and live music event and showcases local producers, international street food, local musicians and offers ideas for growing food at home, is organised by a small committee of volunteers who have worked over the last five years to encourage the community to embrace locally-sourced food and drink and support small producers.
This year’s Homegrown Food Festival will take place between 10am and 5pm on the Applegarth Park behind Northallerton High Street and will feature a new chef line-up in the Food Theatre.
Joining Simon Crannage from Swinton Park, who returns for his second appearance at the festival thanks to his popularity, will be Dave Russell from the Buck Inn at Maunby near Thirsk, Tristan Prudden from The Garden Rooms at Tennant’s in Leyburn, Sarah Muir from The Arches Cookery School at Grinkle Park Farm near Saltburn, Harrison Barraclough from The George at Wath near Ripon and Misba Ellahi from Ooty’s in Stokesley.
Over 100 local producers will be taking part in this year’s event with some of the confirmed names including the Angel’s Share, Amos and Welsh, Artemis Brew, Brymoor Icecream, the Churro Company, the Clucking Pig, El Kantina, Garth Cottage Herbs and Zetland Wine Store.
Other activities at the free event include the popular Tipple Tent serving locally-brewed beers, spirits and wines, a Kids’ Kitchen with fun, interactive cookery workshops for children, two stages of live, local music and the Grow Zone where the ‘Inspiration Shed’ will host local enthusiasts to encourage people to grow their own fruit, vegetables and herbs.
One of the organisers, Sally Anderson, said: “We have tremendous support from a host of voluntary organisations such as Northallerton Scouts and Guides and Northallerton Rotary as well as individuals and we simply could not stage the Homegrown Food Festival without them.
“However, as the event gets bigger so does our need for more volunteers. We’re grateful any amount of support that the local community can provide, whether it is on the day itself on in advance. It’s a great chance to get involved with a brilliant foodie event, meet new people and help the community.”
One of last year’s volunteers, Lizzie Clapham, said: “I wouldn’t miss it for the world as the Homegrown Food Festival is a fantastic community event and a great way for families to volunteer together. It’s also a chance to try your hand at new activities and meet some great people too.”
To volunteer or for more details please contact Sally Anderson on Homegrownfoodfest@gmail.com or visit www.do-it.org/opportunities
http://www.homegrownfoodfest.co.uk/