The Autumn Forage Festival 2018

If you love helping local businesses, and great-tasting food is your cup of tea, then you would have been sure to attend The Forage Festival. Held on the 7^th of April down at the Little National Hotel, it saw local food and drink stalls fill the car park, along with over 1000 people enjoying all there was to offer.

The Forage Festival says online that their mission is to “give our local businesses an opportunity to get creative, and showcase and feed our community in a festival style environment”.

Now in it’s 7^th year, the festival is held to commemorate the start of each season. Last weekend’s festivities celebrated autumn, and all the heart-warming food that will prepare us for the cold days to come.

Chatting with some local businesses, the festival provides a perfect opportunity to showcase their produce in a no-pressure environment. One of the stalls The River Kitchen, had travelled down from Sydney, to advertise their products interstate. The owner, John, started the business 4 years ago. He makes his own sweet sauces, including a delicious peanut butter caramel and lemon curd. While his products are gaining popularity on the shelves of some supermarkets, partaking in the festival is also an enjoyable trip down to Canberra.

From baos and empanadas, to donuts and locally brewed beer, all different types of food and beverages can be found at The Forage. Most stalls were selling their produce for just $5 per food item.

While also showcasing local businesses, local music acts played live at the festival, which helped to add a relaxed and chilled atmosphere.

The well-organised festival helped make everyone feel comfortable being there. It saw attendees enjoy themselves and taste great food, and while it may have been a scorching day there was plenty of ways to cool down.

If you missed out on attending last weekend’s festivities, catch the next festival in winter. It will most likely showcase some warmer and delicious food, and help support some local businesses.