1. What is the Eat Real Festival?
We believe that good, delicious food is something to be celebrated, so we created an annual party called the Eat Real Festival. With a focus on food craft, street food, artisan beers, local wines and fresh and delicious food choices - all featuring sustainable local ingredients – the Eat Real Festival celebrates food in all its different and tasty forms. We know that today’s eaters are concerned about how to spend their food dollar yet are also increasingly interested in learning about how food choices can contribute to a healthier environment and stronger communities. By using fresh and local ingredients (and their amazing flavors), Eat Real aims to show how easy it can be to support a regional food system by bringing farmers, food producers and eaters together. We are very excited to be supporting more than 200 local and regional businesses and organizations. The Eat Real Festival takes place August 27-29 at Jack London Square in Oakland. A small percentage of proceeds from the event will be donated to La Cocina, Community Alliance for Family Farms (CAFF) and People’s Grocery.
2. Where is it located?
The event will take place at Jack London Square in Oakland.
3. How much is the event?
There is no cost for entry into the festival. In fact there is no cost for any of the festival activities that includes music, films, workshops, demonstrations and exciting events like the canning and butchery contests. Additionally, the Eat Real Festival works with all food vendors to ensure that all food will be priced between $1-5, making this a truly accessible and affordable event.
4. Do I need to buy tickets?
There are no tickets to be purchased in advance – the Eat Real Festival will be selling drink tickets for all beverages (beer, wine, iced tea, kombucha, etc.) onsite during the event.
5. How do I get to Eat Real Festival?
Eat Real Festival will be at the foot of Broadway at Embarcadero. It’s easy to get to Jack London Square by ferry boat, train, bus, BART, bike, or by car. There's plenty of street, covered garage and bike parking available throughout the district. Directions can be found at www.eatrealfest.com/gettingtoerf
6. Where can I find a schedule of events?
A full list of festival events can be found at www.eatrealfest.com/details
7. Who is putting on this event?
Eat Real Festival was founded in 2008 by a group of people who believe that delicious, convenient, affordable and sustainable food should be celebrated through an annual food festival. Eat Real is a social venture business. Our main product - the Eat Real Festival - supports a strong social change agenda. In addition, we donate a small percentage of our profit to several California organizations promoting access to healthy and affordable food, entrepreneurship and economic development.
8. What kind of street food vendors will you have?
The best! Eat Real Festival is working with about 80 street food trucks and carts serving a wide variety of food from tacos, BBQ, falafel, salads, sandwiches, curry, grilled meats and vegetables, noodles, fruit, ice cream and hot dogs. In addition to the street food, we’ll also have an area devoted to local food craft folks (cheese, charcuterie, pickles, jams and more.) Finally, we’re turning the central plaza into an urban homesteading zone where you can learn what it takes to get in touch with your inner urban homesteader. You can find a complete list of vendors at www.eatrealfest.com/streeteats
9. Who are your sponsors?
Our presenting sponsors are Whole Foods Market and Jack London Square. Other sponsors include CBS5/CW, Chow.com, Clover, PG&E, San Francisco Magazine and Chipotle.
10. Is this a one-time event?
This is an annual festival.
11. Are you a non-profit?
Eat Real Festival is a social venture business, which means we are a values-driven event focused on educating people about the food they eat. A small percentage of event proceeds are donated to our non-profit partners who include CAFF, La Cocina, and People’s Grocery.
12. Why are you focusing on local, organic, sustainable food?
Eat Real’s mission is to put eaters in contact with chefs, farmers and producers through an affordable and accessible event. Supporting a local and regional food system is important for health of our bodies, communities and economy. Access to fresh and affordable foods is key to combating the serious health problems like diabetes and heart disease that afflict so many communities in the Bay Area. And it just tastes better. This is why we are focused on food craft, street food and urban homesteading and how they highlight the range of food options available that include simple, tasty, handmade and fresh treats. Additionally, when people purchase their food from street food vendors, local food producers and regional farmers, the dollars spent remain in the community and support local businesses, creating a stronger and healthier economy.
13. How are street food vendors using local, sustainable or organic ingredients?
By agreeing to take part in Eat Real, vendors have committed to using 1-2 organic, local or sustainable ingredients in their food. Wherever possible, and whenever needed, Eat Real is connecting street vendors with farmers or distributors to aid in procuring the necessary ingredients. 14. How can I get involved? We are always looking for volunteers! We need assistance in getting posters up, handing out postcards, and working onsite at the event. Please email volunteer@eatrealfest.com if you are interested.