This year’s tenth Food Festival in Abergavenny marks the launch of the first Festival Fringe, featuring over fifty events put on by local organisations.

This has all been enabled by support from The Welsh Assembly Government, the European Union, Monmouthshire County Council, adventa, Capital Region Tourism and Abergavenny Town Council. Thanks are also due to all the local businesses, including hotels, which continue to support the festival and ensure that Abergavenny remains a byword for hospitality.

But it’s not all about fun and feasting. Is it really The End of The Road for Cheap Food? The Observer Food Monthly Debate in association with Organic Centre Wales and a distinguished panel of leading experts, examines the many factors (global demand, climate change, energy costs) and offers a prescription for a sustainable food supply for the future. Chaired by food writer and broadcaster Joanna Blythman. After the success of last year’s inaugural conference the 2008 Big Food Debate on Friday 19 September will focus on Food Tourism and asks the question: Can Food Sell Regional Tourism? This event is sponsored by Miller Research, information consultants to the festival. Full details and delegate forms will be available shortly. Visit www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com for details.

Sacla, those irresistibly Italian food people, are proud sponsors of this year’s Food Academy at the Castle with a host of activities for children and families, from demos in the kitchen area to events in the Fruit and Veg, Baking, and Dairy tents - all held in the grounds of the ancient castle. Organic Centre Wales will offer fabulous food to eat on the spot, in association with Rachel’s Organic.