Global Food & Farm Fest
Southwest Florida’s premier festival focusing on sustainable living, agriculture, and food is coming this weekend.
ECHO’s 28th annual Global Food and Farm Festival will happen this Saturday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the ECHO Farm at 17391 Durrance Road.
The event will provide an opportunity to taste exotic foods, experience life in another country and explore the Global Farm, learning about food and culture in a new way.
Some of the usual features will be a chance to taste raw sugar cane, fresh squeezed orange juice, moringa (known as the miracle food) and freshly ground peanut better. Danielle Flood, communications director at ECHO, said they always add new features as well.
“We have our live-on-stage cooking shows and workshops taught by local experts. We expect everyone to learn something new,” Flood said. “It’s a great day to be outside and experience one of the most unique farms in Lee County.”
Visitors can spend the day at the 50-acre Global Farm and tour a tropical rainforest demonstration featuring goats, the seed bank with more than 300 types of seeds from all over the world, take an educational tour of the fruit tree arboretum, or learn about alternative energies as they are demonstrated in the appropriate technology area.
Kindergartners from Babcock Ranch Neighborhood School will give a presentation on recycling and sing a song to go along with a silent auction. There will also be a presentation on induction cooking called “Cooking with Magnetism.”
Attendees can taste, touch and experience their way around the world as they learn about world hunger and how they can make an impact. Traditionally, they are given a passport stamped by volunteers as they make their way through each station.
Flood said what makes this festival so special is that it is not only educational, but also has a broad amount of information.
“People can learn about biogas and appropriate technology, native Florida plants and African peanuts all in the same place,” Flood said. “Families love to learn together and there aren’t many opportunities to share a global mission about where our food comes from and how you can help others.
Tickets are $5 per person, 8 and under are free if purchased in advance. You may also purchase tickets the day of the event for $7 per person, 8 and under free.
For more information, go to www.echonet.org.