Bristol’s award-winning organic food stores and café The Better Food Company are promoting organic farming and local food in a week-long series of events (14th-21st September 2013), including farm visits, a panel discussion, a family ‘pub quiz’, a cookery talk and a chance to meet some local producers.
Managing Director Phil Haughton says, ‘We want to celebrate organic food, farmers, nature, weather and the harvest, because we work with some amazing people who frankly deserve to be made a fuss of every now and then. The Better Food Festival is becoming the Bristol alternative to the national Organic Food Festival.
Phil continues ‘Michelin starred chef Josh Eggleton is cooking with fresh field produce as part of our day out to Chew Valley visiting some of our favourite local farms. In sharp contrast to recent scandals in conventional farming, we’re so proud of ours that we want to take you out to meet them!’
In another event, Xanthe Clay (Telegraph food writer), Jenny Foster (Bristol and South West Fairtrade Co-ordinator), Rob George (Soil Association Technical Manager) and Steve Glover (The Severn Project) discuss the perception and reality of food accreditation in front of an invited audience and the general public. A pub quiz style evening, hosted by Bristol-based entertainer Peter Clifford takes a lighter hearted view of the world of food, farming and the environment.
These events are raising money for Avon Wildlife Trust’s Feed Bristol project.
The Better Food Company has heralded organic food and farming for some 15 years, under the leadership of Phil Haughton, himself a member of the Soil Association’s Board of Trade.
‘We’ve always tried to be more than just a shop,’ says Phil. ‘We are proud to be working with the best suppliers and producers around Bristol. We’re well placed to serve the community with information and inspiration, as well as some of the best artisan cheese and organic bread! We want all the people of Bristol to know where to come for food and other goods that support wildlife and are packed with health and vitality’.
Details of the week’s events can be found on their website, www.betterfood.co.uk/events.