Food Connections, the revolutionary food event, is back after an enormously successful inaugural year. The festival, which takes place in Bristol from May 1st to 9th 2015, is calling for ideas which will help the people of Bristol connect with good food and create lasting change.
Applications are open to any individual, business, organisation or group who would like to stage an event. The deadline for applications is January 15th 2015, and ideas are to be submitted via the Food Connections website: (www.bristolfoodconnections.com).
Food Connections is more than a food festival. By implementing projects designed to change the way people eat, and by bringing people from all sections of the community together through good food, the event aims to create lasting change that will be felt long after Food Connections finishes.
Ambitious plans are afoot to create a programme of activities which builds on last year’s success. In 2014, Food Connections attracted more people than Glastonbury festival with around 185, 000 people attending over 200 events across the city.
This year, the programme of events will be divided into six themes: land and growing, wellbeing, feasting and festivities, get cooking, brain food and families. The full Food Connections programme will be announced in March.
Lorna Knapman, Event Director, says: “We want Food Connections 2015 to be even bigger and better than last year and we need your help. We want to hear your ideas for events that help us connect with good food and each other, during the festival and beyond. We want to show what a diverse, creative and innovative city Bristol is and so our door is open. Tell us your ideas so that Food Connections 2015 is something that everyone can feel part of and proud of!”
Food Connections will launch on April 30th with the ‘Oscars of the food world’; BBC Radio 4’s prestigious Food and Farming Awards. Last year was the first time the awards ceremony took place in Bristol and this year it returns again as part of Food Connections – putting Bristol firmly on the map as the UK’s food capital.
Food Connections is a partnership event involving dozens of organisations including the BBC, Bristol City Council, University of the West of England, University of Bristol, Watershed, At-Bristol and Visit Bristol, as well as many community groups across the city.
Sustainability and lasting change have always been at the heart of Food Connections and this year the festival is an official programme partner of Bristol 2015, European Green Capital.
Andrew Garrad, chair of Bristol 2015, said: “Food is one of the key themes for Bristol during our year as European Green Capital and we are delighted to be working in partnership with Food Connections, a festival which has inspired thousands of people across the city.”
To submit an idea for an event, please see: www.bristolfoodconnections.com/get-involved.