Everyone’s favourite festival, the Little Food Festival, returns to Fed Square on Wednesday 20th April and Thursday 21st April, after a short Covid-19 induced hiatus. Aimed to connect the dots for kids between our food, its supply chain and its relationship to the health of our bodies and planet, the Little Food Festival brings a jam-packed program of workshops, performances and demonstrations to the heart of the city that will make food fun!

Presented by the Sandro Demaio Foundation, Fed Square and Monash University, and with Major Supporting Partner the Gandel Foundation and Event Partner City of Melbourne, the Little Food Festival brings together a stellar cast of food enthusiasts and producers, creatives and experts to inspire the next generation.

For two days, Fed Square will be the destination for family-friendly foodie activity within The Farm, The Hub, The Grocer, The Table and The Compost, with each activation zone dedicated to an element of the food system; production, distribution, retail, consumption and waste.

Well-known foodies will take to Fed Square’s main stage to demonstrate fun and easy ways to celebrate food, while kids will be encouraged to scribble down their rambles, big ideas or drawings about the future of food on giant colouring poles. Melbourne Farmers Markets’ stallholders will be there with produce stalls, and local food vans will satisfy hungry bellies with tasty, fresh and diverse dishes throughout the day.

Founder of the Little Food Festival, Dr. Sandro Demaio shared his excitement for the event’s return in 2022, featuring the festival’s most ambitious and engaging kids’ program.

“The Little Food Festival is a big celebration of food, culture and thinking about our roles in shaping the world around us – all through the eyes of kids.”

“Global food production is a major driver of climate change, and food insecurity is a growing challenge to health and wellbeing. The festival aims to engage kids in big issues, fun and empowering,” said Dr. Demaio.

Main Stage

10am: Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony (Day 1 only)
10am: Acknowledgement of Country and performance by Djirri Djirri Dance Group (Day 2 only)
11am: Cooking demonstration by primary school students who participated in OzHarvest FEAST
12pm: Junkyard Beats turns ordinary kitchen utensils into musical instruments to get bodies moving
1pm: Amie Harper, nutritionist, food scientist and author, sharing her lunchbox tips and hacks!
2pm: Unwind with a special food-themed yoga class for the whole family
2:45pm: Winner announced of sumptuous food experience at renowned Point Leo Estate on Mornington Peninsula, thanks to Major Supporting Partner, Gandel Foundation (all attendees who complete a survey at the ‘Kids for change’ station will go into the lucky draw to win the $200 dining voucher)
3pm: Families can kick back for a free film on Fed Square’s big screen as the festival wraps up

The Farm

Learn how to plant your own seedling with Bunnings to take home with you
Meet the team from the United African Farm and learn more about traditional African produce and how their community farm is bringing people together

The Hub

In the game, Food Miles, planned by teachers from Monash University, explore how far food has travelled to reach our plates.
Get a photo in front of the iconic yellow food rescue van, and meet a food rescue hero from OzHarvest.

The Grocer

Test your memory in a game by Monash University featuring up-sized “ugly” but delicious produce
Get a photo with the team at Vic Kids Eat Well and learn about their mission to boost delicious and healthy food and drink options in places where kids learn, live and play.

The Table

Renowned Melbourne artist Beci Orpin teams up with homewares and bedding company, Kip&Co, to lead a colourful, food-related craft workshop enabling kids to express their food culture and stories
Join the team from Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation to make your own tasty rice paper rolls, ready to eat – harvest your own herbs from “The Farm” first and get rolling

The Compost

Use science to make food last longer and reduce unnecessary waste as part of the Monash University STEM Leftovers Lab
Test your speed and recycling know-how with Veolia’s recycling relay race

Little Food Library

A chill-out zone for kids to choose books about food, sustainability, health and community and have fun. Special Storytimes at 11.30am, 12.30pm and 1,30pm

Little Food Market

Taste and take home locally farmed delights and produce from a range of impressive market stalls, thanks to Melbourne Farmers Markets.

The Little Food Festival is taking place on Wednesday 20th April and Thursday 21st April 2022 at Fed Square. Entry is free and gates open from 10am-3pm each day. For further information on the Little Food Festival, visit Fed Square’s website.

The Little Food Festival encourages the use of public transport wherever possible, and for visitors to bring reusable water bottles and coffee cups.

The Little Food Festival acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which the festival is held. The festival and its team pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. The festival recognises that the land we work, live and eat on always has been, and always will be, Aboriginal land.