City hosts organic food festival

The free event will take place over two days in Glasgow's Merchant City

The Soil Association Scotland's two-day organic food festival is under way in Glasgow's Merchant City.

The free event at the Old Fruitmarket and Ramshorn Theatre, is open between 1000 and 1800 BST on Saturday and 1000 and 1700 BST on Sunday.

It features organic food, drink, fashion, textiles, beauty products and ethical homeware.

A cooking demonstration is to be given by Sarah Raven, presenter of the BBC's Gardeners' World.

TV presenter, Kaye Adams, is chairing a debate called "Feeding Scotland: are we prepared?"

There is a kidszone, with a food-chain workshop, a farm frieze art competition and the chance to make juice from 30 varieties of Scottish apples.

Hugh Raven, director of the Soil Association Scotland, said: "With the economy faltering, almost all businesses are keeping a watchful eye on sales.

"The good news is that many organic businesses are seeing continued growth in their market, and we're predicting an increase in organic sales of 10% in 2008."