Frome Food Network is setting up Canteen — a community-led restaurant — in Frome.

And it needs your help – to eat delicious and nutritious food that fits into the local and circular economy, and tell us what you think of the idea.

For two nights in the Autumn (25th October, 15th November), the FFN will introduce the idea of a community canteen, inspired by projects such as The Long Table in Stroud. These pop-ups will act as a proof of concept, to inform the development of a potential permanent community canteen for Frome.

Meals will be served 5pm-8pm, and on a pay-what-you-can and pay-it-forward basis.

For more info, head to the dedicated Canteen page.

Frome’s Pumpkin Day and Harvest Swap is back for its third outing, with its continuing theme of local, seasonal, and sustainable food.

This event is organised by Caroline Wajsblum from Frome Field 2 Fork, and is supported by Frome Food Network. For more info, keep an eye on Frome Field2Fork’s Facebook page or Instagram.

Frome Food Network is setting up Canteen — a community-led restaurant — in Frome.

And it needs your help – to eat delicious and nutritious food that fits into the local and circular economy, and tell us what you think of the idea.

For two nights in the Autumn (25th October, 15th November), the FFN will introduce the idea of a community canteen, inspired by projects such as The Long Table in Stroud. These pop-ups will act as a proof of concept, to inform the development of a potential permanent community canteen for Frome.

Meals will be served 5pm-8pm, and on a pay-what-you-can and pay-it-forward basis.

For more info, head to the dedicated Canteen page.

FFN members are invited to the network's next social, where there'll be opportunity to meet and catch up with other local food people, and learn about what's happening within the network.

The main reason for meeting at Badgers Hill however is to discuss the FFN's communal eating project (its main focus for 2024) in the space in which it's now most likely to take place.

Most likely, we'll cover:

- The current status of the project

- Deciding on a proper name for it

- A roadmap for how the project might progress

- How you can get directly involved in the project (in paid or volunteer roles)

To get to Badgers Hill, simply enter through the red turnstyles leading into the stadium from Berkeley Road. We'll convene in the clubhouse to the right or, if the weather's nice, on the pitch itself.

There's carparking space adjacent to the stadium, or you can walk or cycle directly into the grounds.

Drinks and status of the bar are TBC – since this is a social, and we usually have our socials in the pub, there ought to be some provision for a drink or two... check the FFN WhatsApp group for updates on that.

RSVP direct or via Mighty Networks

Join other Frome Food Network members for a night of good food and good company as part of the network’s last, and biggest, mixer of 2023.

The Frome Food Network’s End of Year Social is set to be part celebration of what the FFN and its members have achieved, part excuse for local food minds to come together in the name of Good Food.

As it’s the last one for a while, we’re going all-out, with a 4-course dinner at Vallis Farm put on by Persian chef Bita Fallah.

As well as that, it’ll be your next best chance to convene with other members of the network. And, importantly, revel in what makes the FFN what it is – the growers, retailers, chefs, researchers, and food-conscious citizens hungry for a more vibrant and sustainable Food Town.

For more info, and to book your place, head on over to the event’s Ticket Tailor page.

Spaces are limited to 30, so do get in there quick.

Frome’s Pumpkin Day and Harvest Swap – which had its inaugural outing last autumn – is back for another year, but with even more of a focus on good, delicious, and sustainable food.

In order to build on the event’s foundations, organiser Caroline Wajsblum from Frome Field 2 Fork has enlisted Frome Food Network and Future Shed to help put together a hyperlocal pop-up food market and a pay-what-you-can lunch including pumpkin soup and Somerset apple cake.

“We’re drawing on some brilliant talent in the area, to make Pumpkin Day as fun, interesting, and accessible for people, whatever their interest in food,” says Hugh Thomas, Frome Food Network’s co-ordinator. “That includes signposting and decorations by local artist Cherry Truluck, and a 15-mile menu devised by chef Catherine Maxwell, who’s worked in Michelin star kitchens.”

Growers and cooks will be pleased to know the heart of Pumpkin Day – its community harvest swap – will feature as prominently as before, with workshops throughout the day: Jo Tamplin from Mood Foods will be sharing her philosophy of using food to support healing and a healthier and happier life; Get Pickled will be teaching us some simple home preserving techniques; and Frome Field 2 Fork will introduce us to Forest Gardening.

Kids will have plenty to keep themselves busy too, creating natural, recycled, harvest-inspired crafts with Frome Families for the Future, or helping Frome Seed Library harvest the thousands of seeds donated by local growers while learning how to harvest their own plants. Under the guidance of Jo Harrington (founder of Frome Chocolate Festival), they’ll also have the chance to decorate their own chocolate-covered apples with healthy sprinkles.

Those coming will be invited to explore climate and health narratives within food – what foods locally to Frome are better for the planet? Why does better food lead to better mental health? How can our eating choices help reverse climate change?

All will be revealed at Frome’s Pumpkin Day: Harvest Swap and Local Food Festival, at the Cheese & Grain, from 10am to 3pm on the 29th October. Entry is free for kids, OAP’S, UC, and students, with an optional £3 donation. 

Kids’ activities:

Free Harvest Crafts with Frome Families for a Future, and Pumpkin decorating raising funds for Purple Elephant (£2) through the day

11am-12pm - Saving Seeds together with Frome Seed Library

1.30pm -3pm - Chocolate covered apples and healthy sprinkles with Jo Harrington

11am-12pm Mood Foods - Jo Tamplin from Mood Foods will be sharing her philosophy of using food to support healing and a healthier and happier life.

1pm-2pm - Get Pickled - Simple home preserving techniques.

2pm-3pm - Forest Gardening in a nutshell FF2F

This event is part of the FFN’s residency with Future Shed this year and is supported by The National Lottery’s Climate Action Fund. 

If you can spare a couple of hours to help out on the day, or supply a bag of eating apples for activities please contact fromefield2fork@gmail.com or 07857437608

16th July, from 3pm
Frome Field 2 Fork CIC, Whitemill Lane BA11 4EU
Book via Eventbrite

Family-friendly BYO picnics and big butterfly hunts: The Frome Food Network's next farm tour will be a little bit different to previous outings, with a special invitation from Frome Field 2 Fork for their summer open day. More info on Frome Field 2 Fork’s event page.

For lunch and dinner on the first day of Great Big Green Week 2023, and in collaboration with Somerset Farmers Markets, Lo Rapitenc will serve up Spanish tapas but with a sizeable Somerset twist.

10th June, 12-3pm & 6-10pm; 21 Cheap St, Frome BA11 1BN; booking advised via lorapitenc.com