Geet Jeswani, special to wtop.com
WASHINGTON – Autumn — with all of its red and orange hues — is rapidly arriving, but D.C.-area residents have nothing but green on the horizon.
The Green Festival is back for its ninth year on Sept. 21 and 22. The event, hosted by Green America and Global Exchange, will convene community leaders, environmental activists and a variety of green businesses for two days of workshops, presentations, events and food.
The festival even offers activities for the youngest green enthusiasts at the Green Kids Zone, which features crafts and other interactive games for kids.
This year’s event will have a heavy focus on one of Washington’s favorite topics: food.
According to Green Festival Regional Director Danielle Tergis, food has become one of the most popular components of the festival.
“Everyone can relate to food. We all need to eat,” Tergis says. “I also think the increased interest in the food aspect of the Green Festival is a result of consumers growing interest in eating healthfully and also knowing where their food comes from, how it was grown or produced, who the farmer was that grew or raised it and who the artisan was that created the product.”
Several food-related events will take place on the festival’s Good Food Stage, including a discussion on how to eat on a budget. Washington Post Food and Travel Editor Joe Yonan will also conduct a cooking demonstration based on his book, “Eat Your Vegetables,” and local chefs Todd Wiss of Firefly and Aaron McLoud of Cedar Restaurant will share ideas on healthy cooking, such as how to incorporate produce from your urban garden.
Those wishing to get an actual taste of the lessons can do so at the festival’s Organic Food Court and the Sustainable Beer and Wine Garden.
Other highlights for the festival include a bike repair technique demonstration and a discussion on the use of clean power at home.
“Our goal is to celebrate what is working and provide attendees with ideas and inspiration they can take home with them and into their communities,” Tergis says.
For information on Green Festival tickets and times, visit the website.
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