Local Ecofest programme
Fertile Ground members, from left, Claire Webster, Peter Finlayson, Pete Banham, and Rahi. Photo: Sol Morgan.
Ecofest returns this month and there are plenty of events based right here in the Bay.
An undoubted highlight will be the Great Local Food Challenge at the Wholemeal Café on Thursday 11 August from 5pm. There are two grades (under 14 and adult) and two sections in each grade (sweet and savoury). There is also a special possum challenge for adults where a dish must be made principally of possum meat.
Entrants’ dishes must consist of 95 per cent Golden Bay-produced or Golden Bay-processed food.
“You have to write out the ingredients and the whole recipe,” explains Ecofest spokesperson Claire Webster. “We might produce a recipe book later if the entrants are keen. The Wholemeal may also trial the winning recipes if the entrants allow them.
“Last year’s challenge was great. The range and quality of the dishes was amazing. I’m sure it will be as good or better this year. Judging will take place at 6.15pm and the entrants will be part of the judging process.”
Another highlight is likely to be Local Food Connect on Sunday 7 August between 12noon and 4pm at the Golden Bay Community Organic Gardens in Waitapu Road.
This Open Day is an opportunity to discover all that goes on at the Gardens including its new features: a certified commercial kitchen that can be hired for commercial food processing, and the Community Stall’s relocation.
Along with food stalls and music there will be free workshops: a Herb Walk with John Massey, Getting Ready for Spring with Sol Morgan an Introduction to Worm Farming with Murray Rodgers and Biodynamic Preparation Making with Ana Raunigg.
A feature of the afternoon will be an open visioning session facilitated by Robina McCurdy from 3-5 pm. The Community Gardens’ new board of trustees believes there is a huge potential for the Community Gardens to become more valuable at promoting local food self-reliance. The board is keen to hear the community’s ideas for the part the gardens can play in maximising food production in Golden Bay.
Members of the trust will be on hand to introduce the gardens’ allotment system and membership scheme, and NgAnga will be there to explain the benefits of using the food exchange.
Other Ecofest events here include the preparation of emergency kits and a tool kit for an extended crisis, green economic development, growing more food locally and a screening of the documentary The Economics of Happiness.
The major Ecofest Expo will be held in the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson on the weekend of August 21 and 22.
Neil Wilson
