It may seem an unlikely destination for a community market, but the sunken subway roundabout under the M32, where the neighbourhoods of St Paul’s, St Werburgh’s and Easton meet, is the quirky venue of choice for a grass-roots food festival happening on Tuesday 6th May as part of Bristol Food Connections.
Under the name of J3Underpass, and supported by Knightstone Housing Association, Baptist Mills residents have come together to throw a family-friendly event for people who might normally only walk or cycle through the subway complex; between 3.30 and 8.30pm all are invited to stop, eat, drink and meet each other.
Hot food from 5 global cuisines will be on offer – Caribbean from Caribbean Bites, Indian from Indiana Joe Baba, Somali from the Somali Women’s Group, Iranian from the Bristol Hospitality Network and American Southern Cookin’ from Fox & Monkey who will also be doing ‘twisted craft cider’. Other drinks include organic apple juice direct from the Stream Farm orchards in Somerset and craft beers from No.12 Easton who are bringing delicious deli goodies too. There’ll be organic salad leaves from Edible Futures in Brislington, Dan from The Fish Shop in Gloucester Road will be setting up his Cornish Oyster Bar and there’ll be plenty to keep the sweet toothed happy too.
But it’s not all about eating good local food, the plan is to talk about it – and grow some too! Edible Futures will also be offering fruit trees and bushes for sale and Incredible Edible Bristol and Happy City will be planting seeds in more ways than one. The Bristol Pound Real Economy Project will be speaking about accessible food and how to set up your own food buying group, and there’ll be further food discussion with Praxis Café.
For cyclists, Dr Bike’s workshop will be offering free bike tuning. Bristol Pedal Revolution will be showing off some pedal power too, and local police will be offering security marking of items you bring along – that’s any items, not just cycling related.
All this to a backdrop of live local musical talent. Further information can be found on their Facebook page, or follow them on Twitter to stay up to date.