The Ignatius Jesuit Centre was a feast for the senses last Sunday as residents from across Wellington took part in the 9th annual Taste Real Guelph Wellington Local Food Fest.
Taste Real coordinator Christina Mann said originally the local food fest was a celebration of 50 farmers who came together to celebrate the first local food map created for Wellington County.
“Then it grew and grew into this full-size event which attracts 1,500 to 2,000 people every year,” said Mann.
The event includes local vendors, music, breweries, wagon rides and children’s activities.
“This year the event has expanded to include a workshop area for food workshops. We’re trying to teach people what to do with all the wonderful local ingredients in our area.”
Workshops included cheese making, butchery, canning, no-knead bread making, wild edible foraging, and care of backyard chickens.
Mann said Taste Real Guelph Wellington puts on the event each year.
The group is now an initiative of the economic development office of the County of Wellington.
“Our biggest publication is the Guelph Wellington local food map,” Mann said, noting the 2014 map was just recently launched.
“It is a year-round guide to local food and food experiences.”
This year, there are roughly 105 locations on the map, including farms, restaurants that use local food in their menus, retailers and caterers who promote local food.
“It’s essentially every link in the food chain. It’s not just about going out to farms but the networking and showcasing the businesses which go the extra mile to include local food.”
She noted Taste Real hosts other events throughout the year including the Spring and Fall Rural Romps, which are self-guided tours throughout Wellington County. Mann said in September, there is the Taste Real Field Dinner, “a beautiful harvest feast held on a farm.”
She said the organization is grateful for the support from the County of Wellington, as well as its partners and generous sponsors.
“We cannot pull off this event without the in-kind and monetary sponsorships.”
For more information check out www.tastereal.ca.
