After months of stewing and planning, a real treat of an event has been cooked up for this weekend.
Run by local trader Ashley Sutcliffe and organiser of Whalley Farmers’ Market Charles Bolton, Colne Food Festival will take place at the Muni tomorrow between 10am and 4pm.
The delectable day will see around 50 local traders showcasing a variety of foods and crafts. And if successful, it will become an annual event on Pendle’s social calendar.
Ashley, who runs Live Like The Boy, in Shackleton Hall, said: “We are thrilled with how the preparation has gone.
“The really heartening thing is how everybody we have spoken to is just as excited as we are.
“We were initially looking at having it at Shackleton Hall, with around 10 tables, so it has turned out a bit different.”
Among those running a stand at the free festival, which includes cookery demonstrations, will be staff from Pendle Council’s waste management department.
They will be talking to visitors about the need to “Love Food Hate Waste”, in the hope it will help reduce the amount of useable food that goes to landfill.
Waste and recycling co-ordinator Carole Taylor said: “We will be talking to foodies to offer advice on storing food correctly, judging portion sizes and using up leftovers.”
And Coun. John David, who represents recycling and waste in Pendle, added: “As well as the environmental impact, throwing away food has financial consequences.
“The latest figures from WRAP suggest that the average family throw away the equivalent of six meals a week.
“If they just got better at managing what’s in their fridge and kitchen cupboards, they could save around £60 a month.”
Visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com and www.colnefoodfestival.co.uk for more information.