By Parker McKenzie
Connecting Cockatoo Communities will be holding a Food and Film Festival on 9 April to highlight and celebrate local foods.
Funded by Vic Health, the Cockatoo Food and Film Festival will have cooking demonstrations, nutrition presentations, children’s entertainment and a movie screening to educate locals about healthy eating practices that are practical and budget-friendly.
A Connecting Cockatoo spokeswoman said the festival is being held to bring people together and reconnect with local food networks.
“It’s very exciting to be able to shine a light on Cockatoo as well,” she said.
“Fingers crossed, we’re hoping for really nice weather for our outdoor movie. If there is wet weather we will have to move into the pavilion, but it will go ahead.”
The event will run from 3pm until 9pm will at the Mountain Road Recreation Reserve in Cockatoo, with a movie screening of Ratatouille at 6.45pm.
Local businesses like orchards and nurseries, expert academics and practitioners from Monash University and the Department of Nutrition Dietetics and Food will be present at the festival.
The spokeswoman said entry to the event is free and will feature children’s entertainment such as a jumping castle and balloon animals for a gold coin donation.
“There’s been a lot of excitement throughout the community and a lot of local businesses have jumped on board,” she said.
“Everyone’s keen and asking already is this going to become a yearly thing?”
While the event is free, attendees are required to reserve a ticket for free at www.cockatoosfoodandfilmfest.eventbrite.com.
More information and timetables for events and entertainment can be found on the Cockatoo Food and Film Fest Facebook event page.
