The fifth annual Sunshine Coast Real Food Festival will not only serve up an array of produce from across the Sunshine Coast region but will also host workshops aimed at creating awareness of issues concerning the community and food chain supply.
Accredited practising dietitian, Cherie Hugo founded The Lantern Project when Cherie discovered an urgent need for change when she was working in aged care.
Cherie will highlight to festival goers in the Nourishing Ideas venue the importance of older people having access to fresh food and receiving the nutrition they need to enjoy the quality of life they deserve.
“Between 50–80% of aged care residents in Australia are malnourished, and the community needs to work together to find a tangible solution,” she said.
“Over 20 founding members have jumped on board to support The Lantern Project, including Australia’s much-loved food producer and author, Maggie Beer.”
Cherie said that her private practice, My Nutrition Clinic, consults to more than 15 residential aged care facilities in Queensland and New South Wales.
This is where her passion grew for ensuring aged care residents are well nourished and excited about eating.
“We need to start tapping into the wisdom of older residents, some of whom have been cooking for more than 80 years, so a collaborative approach with residents and experts in the industry will lead to the improvement of residents’ nutrition and their day to day quality of life. That’s what The Lantern Project aims to achieve,” Cherie said.
The Nourishing Ideas venue at the Real Food Festival will host nine presentations on diet and health related issues, including children’s nutrition, and the importance of good nutrition for fertility.
The Sunshine Coast Real Food Festival is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland as part of a dynamic calendar of events throughout the state. It is also supported by Sunshine Coast Council and Sunshine Coast Destination Limited.
The event is expecting 10,000 visitors through the gates over the Festival weekend.
There will be more than 55 presentations at eight different venues including cooking demonstrations, chef presentations, conversations, interactive workshops and kids activities within the Festival as well as over 100 food exhibitors from throughout the Sunshine Coast region.
The Real Food Festival will be held at the Maleny Showgrounds, 13 Stanley River Road, Maleny on 12 & 13 September from 9am to 4pm daily and will showcase an abundance of good foods from Sunshine Coast producers, manufacturers and restaurants. Entry is $20 for a daily adult pass and children under 16 are free.
For more information on the Real Food Festival, visit the website at
www.realfoodfestivals.com.au.
Tickets are available at the Festival or you can also purchase your tickets via
Ticketmaster – go to http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/ and search for Real Food Festival.
