Boston, MA (August 1, 2011) — More than 60 food vendors and exhibitors, 20 sponsors and 100 volunteers have already signed up to promote the benefits of eating local food and to offer a diversity of locally grown and sourced dishes at affordable prices of $5 or less. The 2nd Annual Boston Local Food Festival will take place on Saturday, October 1, 2011 along Fort Point Channel near Boston Children’s Museum from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Themed “Healthy Local Food for All!,” the event is Boston’s premier food festival connecting eaters with farmers and local food producers. Produced by Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston (SBN), the festival is built upon the principals of creating a local, green and fair economy and is entirely funded and supported by local businesses.
During this free, zero waste festival, local food luminaries Chef JJ Gonson of Cuisine en Locale, Butcher Tom Daly of Savenor’s, and Matt Jennings of Farmstead will join farmers, fisher folk, and food producers in showcasing local food outdoors along the Boston Harborwalk. Spectators of all backgrounds will learn about the benefits of sustainably produced local food, engage with top local chefs, farmers and entrepreneurs, and taste local craft brew, including beer, wine and mead, all while enjoying local music and art.
Many vendors and sponsors have enthusiastically opted to return this year, including Katsiroubas Produce, a local family owned distributor in Boston, who has committed to be a lead sponsor. According to co-owner Ted Katsiroubas, “We had a great experience as a sponsor and vendor at Boston Local Food Festival. Everyone who attended was in full support of our cause. It was wonderful to meet new vendors as well as catch up with chefs and other business owners we know. Katsiroubas Produce is looking forward to do it all over again!”
Boston Local Food Festival has expanded its footprint in Fort Point, Boston’s Innovation District to include the area between Evelyn Moakley Bridge (Seaport Blvd.) and Northern Avenue Foot Bridge (Northern Avenue) in front of the Barking Crab. The event expects to attract more spectators than the previous year’s 30,000 and will offer 120 booths for vendors, farmers, sponsors and exhibitors with an expanded Local Craft Brewer Tasting event at The Daily Catch’s Grotto. A new “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) educational component will allow amateur and professionals the opportunity to showcase their skills with festival-goers.
A sampling of exhibitors and vendors include The Boston Harbor Association, Enterprise Farm, The Food Project, Haley House, Taza Chocolate, The Dining Car, Nella Pasta, Sportello and The Butcher Shop, Batch Ice Cream, and Miles Smith Farm. Major sponsors and partners of the festival include Katsiroubus Produce, Organic Valley, The Longfellow Clubs, Olivia’s Organics, Boston Organics, Savenor’s, City Fresh Foods, Save That Stuff, Boston Children’s Museum, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, The Boston Harbor Association and Friends of Fort Point Channel.
Follow updates on Twitter at @bostonlocalfood
(The image above was taken at last year’s festival by Sam Hammar)
