Abertay University Announces Weekend Food Festival for July 6-7, 2024
Abertay University has announced its participation in the inaugural Dundee Food Festival, a two-day event showcasing a diverse range of culinary delights and stimulating discussions.
The festival, taking place across various locations in Dundee on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July, will feature a variety of activities, including street food, cooking demonstrations, talks, and more.
Abertay will co-host two exclusive events during the festival, highlighting the latest developments in food innovation and sustainability.
On Saturday 6 July, Dr Jon Wilkin, a lecturer from Abertay’s Division of Engineering and Food Science, will lead a discussion on “The Future of Food” at V&A Dundee. The session, taking place from 1pm to 2pm, will delve into the growing trend of vegan alternatives and the transition towards more sustainable dietary habits.
Dr Wilkin will be joined by renowned experts including Professor Kofi Aidoo from Glasgow Caledonian University’s Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences. Aidoo has recently been appointed to the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants (JECFA) at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) in Rome.
Additionally, Dr Martin Peel, Managing Director of Growers Garden, will share his insights on the future of food production. Growers Garden is a collective of farming families who have been growing vegetables for over four generations in Scotland, and now includes growers from Perthshire and the Borders.
The University will also host a Fair Trade workshop on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July. This interactive session will inform attendees about the importance of ethical and sustainable food practices, including what to expect from Fairtrade marked products and the 10 Principles of Fair Trade.
The workshop will also feature free samples of Fair Trade goods and discuss how producer communities mitigate the challenges of climate change through the social premium paid and high environmental standards required by Fairtrade principles. The workshop will take place at Abertay on Saturday from 11am – 12 noon and Sunday from 3pm – 4pm.