Soil Association Scotland's Organic Food Festival, Old Fruitmarket and City Halls, Candleriggs, Glasgow, 13-14 October
Saturday 13 October 10am-6pm
Sunday 14 October 10am-5pm
Want to find out more about organic food or eco-chic? Keen to sign up for a veggie box but don't know where to start? Can't wait to try the latest, luscious organic beauty products? Then don't miss Scotland's biggest organic celebration when it returns to Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket next month [1]. There will be 180 companies represented on more than 60 stalls selling a huge array of organic food, drink, clothing and textiles, green home, and health and beauty products.
As organic sales in the UK hit £2 billion mark for the first time [2], there has never been more public support for the organic sector [3], or a better time to sample the thousands of award-winning and irresistible organic products available to consumers.
The festival features a lively and inspiring programme of cookery demonstrations, talks, workshops, and a busy kids zone – with cooking, storytelling, and art activities, and the amazing Smoothie Bike. There is also a therapy area where festival goers can unwind, and an organic café selling tasty organic fare. New for this year is an arts fringe with a stunning and varied programme of visual art, performance and music, and Scotland's first ever organic fashion show.
Festival director Alex Lambert said:
'This year's festival is about helping everyone get their hands on affordable organic goodies. It's a chance to get excited about food again, and pick up some down-to-earth tips on getting your kids to eat better. And you'll get to meet dozens of amazing Scottish producers who are offering products you can trust – that are better for people, and better for the planet.'
Highlights of the festival include:
Boxing clever ideas
The Boxing Clever Cookbook ladies, Jacqui Jones and Joan Wilmot, return to the festival with an entertaining look at how to feed a family from a veggie box; some tasty liquid lunches with a twist; delicious fast food from fresh ingredients; and one-pot cooking ideas to chase away the winter chills.
Beauty essentials
Abi Weeds of Essential Care will be talking about skincare and beauty – the organic way. Essential Care are a small family team who have produced a pioneering range of truly organic body care products, hand-made with pure plant oils and biodynamic herbs.
Dedicated followers of eco-fashion
fashionWITHpassion - Scotland's first ever organic fashion show – will feature show-stoppingly beautiful designs from Ardalanish, gorgeous garb from Glasgow's own Bolshie, and the funky new collection from Howies. Classic cuts, unique styles and flattering clothes that look good on real people!
Magical mystery flavour
The G E Moore Shift Organisation is a mysterious collective of magicians who will be performing some mind-bending magical effects with a distinct culinary flavour. It'll be magic.
An inconvenient Scottish truth
We all know that climate change threatens the planet but what will that mean for Scotland? James Curran – founder of Entrading, Glasgow, which sells household products that reduce environmental impact - will help put it all in context, and give us a crash course in what we can do about it.
Gospel funk
Monumental Groove will be raising the rafters with gospel-infused soul classics. Susie Palmer and Jane McLaughlin, who found their feet working with the likes of soul sensation Lemar and the Godfather of Soul, the late James Brown, are joined by vocalist Chris Judge (Lulu, Candy Staton) in this special festival line-up.
