A FOOD festival which started on a shoestring budget is going from strength to strength as it approaches its fifth year.

The Homegrown Food Festival in Northallerton will this year take place on Sunday, June 26 from 10am until 5pm at the Applegarth Park.

Following last year’s event the committee reported a surplus of about £2,000 which is set to be ploughed straight into this year’s budget.

The committee is a small group of volunteers who have worked over the last five years to encourage the community to embrace locally-sourced food and drink, and supports small producers.

Homegrown Food Group committee member Nicky Smith said: “Plans are now well underway for the fifth annual Homegrown Food Festival.

“Thanks to your support the festival has grown year on year with more things to see, do and taste.

“As well as live music, cookery demonstrations and great food, this year we are working in partnership with Branch Out Arts to stage a range of arts activities which will focus on the Year of the Bee.

“Bees are such a vital part of our eco-system and are currently under major threat, so our activities will encourage people to look at how we can all make small changes to help the bee population.”

She added: “The Homegrown Food Festival in a not for profit event run by dedicated local volunteers - we are not paid and we do not receive any ongoing financial support from the local council.

“Any surplus is used to stage the following year's festival and we are always keen to keep the festival free of charge to ensure it is open and accessible to all.”

Last year the festival made £2,268 surplus, with income coming in from Northallerton Town Council, Awards For All, local business sponsorship, and through the sale of programmes, bags, and a tombola.

The festival includes a food theatre, which invites high profile chefs to demonstrate what can be done with some of the region’s produce; a Kid’s Kitchen which includes workshops to get children involved in cooking; and a grow zone, where people can find out about how to cultivate their own fruit and vegetables.

The festival also has a popular beer tent and features local bands. Much of the beer, cider, wine and spirits is local.

For more information see www.homegrownfoodfest.co.uk.