We're getting ready for our third annual GrowFest! event at the Fruit & Spice Park the Oct 18-19. I'm really psyched, because I expect we'll have a great turnout. The first year we had over 900 in attendance, and last year 1400 people came to buy, learn, share and attend workshops. We've received lots of positive feedback from everyone, vendors, exhibitors, attendees, so I'm predicting 2,000-2500 this time around.
Grow Fest! is about connecting the dots between the farm or garden and the dinner table. It's about providing the knowledge and materials to grow, forage, buy, prepare, and eat good, local, seasonal food. Engaging the public, encouraging and giving them the tools to grow some of their own will enable them to gain a better appreciation of what it takes for farmers to produce the food we all eat, and whet folks' appetite for the best and freshest produce.
Saturday and Sunday October 18-19 are the dates for this year's event at the Redland Fruit & Spice Park. The only tropical botanical garden and public park of its kind in the U.S., it hosts over 500 varieties of tropical fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, nuts and edible plants. Redland is the core of our local agricultural production in South Dade, so what better place to kick off the winter growing season in South Florida! If you've ever been to the park, you know what a nice place it is to set up for a weekend event.
Each year we choose a worthy project or organization to benefit, and donate $1pp of gate proceeds. The first year we donated to Florida Organic Growers. Last year Urban Oasis Project (UOP) was the beneficiary. We have some great sponsors, too, to help us publicize the event and provide educational exhibits.
Do you sell seeds? potting tools and supplies? tractors-big and small? plants and fruit trees? fertilizer? environmentally-sound pest and disease controls? gardening services? canning supplies? dehydrators? personal chef services? cooking classes? locally-grown fruits & veggies? Come sell your wares! If you have nothing to sell right now, but want to advertise your farm, service or business, we have a special vendor category for you at a reduced cost.
Do you make value-added products using locally-grown food? jams and jellies? healthy snacks with dried fruit or veggies? bread? cheese? Come share your story, sell your goods at GrowFest! - grow your business and help inspire others. The only requirement is that you are actively using local (South Florida) ingredients in your product.
Is your organization involved in helping folks make healthy food choices? We want you! Do you run a farmers market? packing house? Are you a reseller of locally-grown produce? Set up a booth and advertise here - meet future suppliers and customers.
We will have educational exhibits, presentations, demos, and information for growers, sellers, and consumers. We place special emphasis on organic and environmentally friendly practices, and establishing building blocks for healthy eating.
Our food vendors will keep with the theme of healthy eating and showcasing locally-grown ingredients, not just the same old/tired out fair food. You know who you are - come feed the crowd!
Please note, all produce sold must be locally grown (within the South Florida, or even better, the Redland area), all artisans and food vendors must use at least some local ingredients in their offerings, and all plants sold must be edible or plants native to this area. Tool suppliers and manufacturers of growing supplies are encouraged to participate, with preference given to locally-based businesses.
We're keeping both admission and vendor fees low for everyone, with prices unchanged for the third year. We offer discounted ticket presales, and donate a block of tickets to VetTix for active military families to enjoy the event at no charge. We also assemble some fun raffle donations to make it all the more interesting and give attendees more value for their admission fee. If you're interested in donating something for the raffle, please note it on your vendor application.
I think you'll find the vendor fees for the entire weekend quite reasonable. Vendor spaces are 15'X15' and easily accommodate a 10'X10' tent with extra space around all sides for your convenience. Attached is our vendor application and event rules. You can fill it out online. Check the box and we'll email you an invoice which you can pay with an eCheck using Intuit's Payment Network (secure and free to use-and we never see your bank account information). Or you can print out your completed venfor form and snail-mail it with your check-the address is on the form-just shoot me an email to let me know it's coming.
Click here: Vendor Application
The Miami-Dade County Fruit & Spice Park is located at 24801 SW 187th Ave, on the corner of Coconut Palm Drive and Redland Road.
If you have any questions about the event, please feel free to email me at [email protected].
Come join us at the third annual GrowFest! in Redland - we're looking forward to seeing you there!
Margie Pikarsky
Bee Heaven Farm
