MP supports launch of Arundel Food Festival 2013
Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert attended the launch of this year's Arundel Food Festival at Sage Café and Restaurant last week (Thursday 12 September).
The Festival's chairman Jonathan Brantigan, who owns Pallants in Arundel, announced the schedule for this year's event, which is now in its fourth year.
The Festival begins on the weekend of Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October and will continue into the following week with events and activities in Arundel and the surrounding area.
The Arundel Food Festival has a strong community focus and is a celebration of local food and drink.
At the launch event Jonathan Brantigan thanked the volunteers and sponsors who have helped bring the Food Festival together for another year.
Green Wright Chalton Annis solicitors and Jackson-Stops & Staff estate agents are both returning as sponsors of the Festival and Jonathan thanked them for their loyalty. He also thanked the Joint Area Downland Committee and Arundel Chambers of Commerce for funding and support.
He said that the Festival had three key aims: to reconnect with the local landscape of its farmers and food producers, to promote locally produced, seasonal food & drink and encourage shopping locally, and to educate people on how to reduce food waste, cut pollution and use resources wisely.
The traditional farmers' market in the town centre on Saturday 19 October will mark the start of a week of food related celebrations and events. More than 40 stallholders will be selling a wide variety of produce at the market, including artisan breads and jams, coffees and fresh food.
On Sunday 20 October there will be a day of free family events which will include cookery demonstrations and apple pressing with the National Trust. For those who already grow their own produce there will be an opportunity to swap crops and homemade preserves at the popular Veg and Produce Swap event.
This year's Festival will be supporting the charity FareShare. FareShare is a national UK charity which focuses on food poverty and food waste.
A full schedule of the events and participants is available online at www.arundelfoodfestival.org.uk.
Speaking at the launch, Nick Herbert said: "Arundel is a wonderful setting for a food festival, close to the sea and the South Downs. It is great to see the Festival getting even better in its fourth year, thanks to its generous sponsors and hard work of the many volunteers who make it possible."
ENDS
Notes
1. For more information about the Arundel Food Festival please see the website www.arundelfoodfestival.org.uk, or on Facebook Facebook.com/ArundelFoodFest or Twitter @ArundelFoodFest
2. For more information about the charity FareShare please see the website www.fareshare.org.uk