Photo: Anrprior Pumpkins offers pick your own pumpkin activities alongside on-site food trucks, kale maze, and bale mountain!
#FORTHVALLEYFOODFEST
Forth Valley Food Festival (12 – 21 October) kicks off, celebrating the best of the local larder.
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:
MEET THE GOATS: The festival will feature farm tours at Gartur Stitch Farm, Port of Menteith. Pictured are Kevin Harrison and his daughter Georgia.
** Click on the name of each event for web link and more information **
12 – 21 October, Arnprior Pumpkins - 8.30am – 5.30pm (pre-booking required)
12 - 16 October - Stirling NeighbourFood, online local food market open for purchases
13 October, Stirling Farmers' Market - 10.00am - 4.00pm, Port street, Stirling
15 & 18 October – Gardening Session, Stirling University, 2.00pm - 4.00pm
16, 17, & 18 October – Food Hive OPEN, Stirling University, 10.00am - 4.00pm
15 – 21 October - Meet the Goats, Gartur Stitch Farm, various times (pre-booking required)
16 October - 'In Our Hands' film & panel discussion, Stirling University, 7.00pm - 9.00pm
18 October - Stirling Neighbourfood collection, Stirling High School, 4.30 pm - 6.30pm
For further details search for #ForthValleyFoodFest on social media, new events and producer profiles will be added throughout the festival week.
Photo caption
MEET THE GOATS: The festival will feature farm tours at Gartur Stitch Farm, Port of Menteith. Pictured are Kevin Harrison and his daughter Georgia.