Article Source: Stirling PR
Last Updated: 12 October 2018 14:26
The festival will highlight over 20 of the regions local food producers and providers, from Arnprior Pumpkins to Stirling’s new online food market, NeighbourFood.
There’ll also be a programme of local food activities and farm experiences for the whole family get involved in during the school October break, from picking your own pumpkins to farm tours.
The event is supported by Stirling Council and Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER, amongst other partners.
Local Food and Drink Co-ordinator, Ashley Robinson said: “The aim of the festival is to shine a spotlight on the people who grow and rear our local food, and the places that serve and sell local produce. Forth Valley’s larder is bursting with fantastic local food and drink. We want to help local people discover the exceptional array of produce available on their doorstep and learn more about how their food is grown, reared and created.”
Ashley added: “We hope the festival will be the start of something much bigger. We’d love to see a series of food events, food trails and farm tours throughout the coming year to encourage local people to explore our flourishing local food landscape. If you’re interested in taking part as a producer or participant please get in touch with us at Forth Valley Lomond and Leader.”
As part of the festival programme, Gartur Stitch Farm, Port of Menteith will be running farm tours. Owners Kat Goldin and Kevin Harrison described what locals can expect on their visit: “We’ll greet you with a homemade pastry or sourdough bread all made here in the farm kitchen, from local ingredients mostly grown or foraged here on the farm. Then we’ll head out to the barn, where you’ll learn how to hand milk our dairy goat, Dascha. You’ll also get the chance to hand feed our flock of Soay sheep. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a cuddle from our two smallest sheep - Hamish and Angus, twin lambs born in May this year. After feeding the sheep, we’ll head to the chicken coops where you can collect eggs from our small flock of chickens. Our rule is, if you collect it, you keep it, so you will get to take any eggs you find home with you!”
The full festival line-up includes:
• 12 – 21 October, Arnprior Pumpkins, 8.30am – 5.30pm – pick your own pumpkin, get lost in the kale maze and climb bale mountain. Pumpkins from £5. Pre-booking required.
• 12 - 16 October - Stirling NeighbourFood, online local food market open for purchases
Buying local couldn't be easier! Try out the regions' new online ‘click and collect’ local food market, Neighbourfood, run by Forth Environment Link. Pre-order your locally produced staples - everything from bread, jam, cheese, dairy, eggs, meat and veg - online from Oct 12th - 16th, for pick-up at Stirling Highschool on October 18th (16:30 - 18:30).
• 13 October, Stirling Farmer’s Market, 10am-4pm – try and buy local produce from Ochil Fudge to freshly baked bread from Riverside Bakery.
• 15 – 21 October, 11am and 2.30pm, Meet the Goats and the other animals at Gartur Stitch Farm, Port of Menteith. Online booking required. Adults £15. Children under 12 are free.
• 15 & 18 October – Drop-in gardening session - The Green & Blue Space at University of Stirling Students’ Union, 14:00 – 16:00.
• 16, 17, 18 October, ‘Food Hive’– food co-operative open, 10:00 – 16:00. The Green & Blue Space at University of Stirling Students’ Union.
• 16 October, University of Stirling Students’ Union, 7pm – 9pm. Enjoy a film screening of farming documentary In Our Hands. Throughout the week there will also be opportunities to buy local food from the Food Hive co-op and take part in garden tours.
• 18 October, Stirling NeighbourFood, Stirling High School, 4.30-6.30pm – the city’s new online ‘click and collect’ local food market run by Forth Environment Link. Order local produce from eggs and yogurt to cheese and preserves by Tuesday 16 October for pick up on 18 October.
For further details search for #ForthValleyFoodFest on social media, new events and producer profiles will be added throughout the festival week.
Full cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MOREDobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MOREA sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland is going hopping mad for Easter and hosting a bumper 35 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care this spring.
READ MOREStirling’s business community is getting ready to celebrate at the city’s annual awards for independent traders.
READ MOREExcavation work on a Pictish stone of potential ‘international significance’, discovered buried in a cemetery near Doune, will begin within the next fortnight.
READ MOREGreat Run 2024 series highlights inspirational stories from runners around the UK.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is bringing back its much-loved Easter event, inviting families to hop along to their nearest store and enjoy an Easter Bunny Breakfast egg-stravaganza.
READ MOREFriday 8th March marks International Women's Day and to celebrate Vue is set to screen four inspiring films which follow the achievements of incredible female leads.
READ MORENew research released by VisitScotland reveals the growing popularity of Scottish traditional music, finding that over a third of Scots (34%) are listening to it more often in the past year.
READ MOREThe public was treated to a surprise choir performance against the backdrop of the National Wallace Monument in Stirling to mark Marie Curie's Day of Reflection this weekend.
READ MOREA stellar line-up of authors are set to take Paisley by storm at this year's Paisley Book Festival in April!
READ MOREThe AJ Bell Great Scottish Run is back on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October, and the Earlybird offer to save up to £8 off your entry ends this Friday 1st March at 10am.
READ MOREA Scottish author's poignant tale of generosity and kindness has raised £2,262 to help the homeless.
READ MOREDobbies is offering customers the chance to treat the mother figures in their lives to an indulgent Mother's Day Afternoon Tea experience and a special flower gift on March 9th & 10th.
READ MORESTEP, in partnership with Forth Valley Food and Drink, is thrilled to announce a series of engaging business events throughout March.
READ MOREA project involving the University of Stirling, Stirling Council and a group of volunteers has uncovered a historic folly on the university grounds.
READ MOREAn Impassioned photo-led exhibition that depicts the challenge, pride and responsibility felt by those working in Scotland’s fishing industry is to debut within the Scottish Parliament.
READ MOREThe Scottish Influencer Awards, the major awards ceremony celebrating Scotland's stars of social, has announced the full shortlist of nominees in the running to be named the Influencer of the Year.
READ MOREDobbies is encouraging gardeners of all ages and skill levels across the country to get one of their 5 a day by learning how to grow soft fruits at one of its free workshops in March.
READ MOREScotland's largest wedding showcase, The Scottish Wedding Show, returns to Glasgow this Valentine's weekend and is putting love on display as the country celebrates 10 years of same sex marriage.
READ MOREA shortlist of finalists for the 2024 Stirling Business Awards has been announced after more than 22,000 votes were cast during the selection process.
READ MORETo mark the anniversary of Mary Queen of Scots’ death, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has released a digital 3D model of her death mask.
READ MORERory McIlroy will return to the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, North Berwick from July 11th-14th, with tickets on sale now!
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, will be indulging people of all ages with its Valentine's Afternoon Tea, taking place across 68 of its stores on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 February!
READ MOREFollowing a sell-out run at the Fringe, Jack Docherty, the BAFTA award-winning star of Scot Squad and Absolutely, is taking his critically-acclaimed show David Bowie & Me: Parallel Lives on tour.
READ MOREWith less than four weeks until the first World Athletics Indoor Champion Glasgow 24 is crowned, organisers have revealed the medal specially commissioned for the event following a design competition.
READ MOREWorld-renowned festival Celtic Connections drew to a triumphant close last night after 18 days of spectacular sold-out concerts, innovative musical sessions and star-studded collaborations.
READ MOREStirling’s first Gingerbread Trail has been hailed a success by the city’s business community and families who took part in the challenge.
READ MORETaking over the whole of the SEC campus from tomorrow, The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show, the biggest show of its kind in Scotland is not to be missed!
READ MORE