7th Annual Fermentation Festival Returns to Santa Barbara

Tickets are now on sale for the 7th annual Santa Barbara Fermentation Festival (SBFF), to be held Saturday, September 10, 2017, at Rancho La Patera & Stow House, 304 N. Los Carneros Rd., Goleta, CA.

SBFF is an annual gathering of local and regional culinary alchemists, wild fermenters and health experts showcasing the history, benefits, and preparation of fermented foods. With three educational stages featuring 50+ speakers, demonstrations, and panel discussions, dozens of exhibitors, do-it-yourself (DIY) fermentation stations, a bacteria buddy passport kids program, 21+ farm-to-bar area and more, the festival offers something for everyone.  

“SBFF is not just about pickles and sauerkraut,” says Katie Hershfelt, Co-Founder and Festival Director. “This year, we are excited to feature unique and delicious ferments from around the world, such as eggplant escabeche, citrus water kefir soda, hot Thai chili sauce (sambal), coconut yogurt cheesecake, traditional French sourdough brioche, and wild ale cocktails.”

The theme is Nurture What Nature Gave You, aligning with a larger grassroots movement that is changing the way we view our food, our connection to the earth and our ability to thrive. Fermented, cultured, and traditional foods farmed in healthy, bacteria-rich soil nourish the ‘microbiome’ of our planet and ourselves. 

“Our microbiome is the amazing, internal ecosystem that we inherit from our parents at birth. It is home to the vast army of microbes designed to protect us against harmful germs, break down our food to release energy and synthesize micronutrients such as vitamins B and K. Like the human microbiome, protecting our planet’s microbiome is equally important,” notes Lynn Hartman, Festival Co-Founder and Education Director.

2017 Festival Highlights Include:

• Panel discussions on microbiome and nutrition during pregnancy, childbirth, and early childhood development
• New and improved DIY Fermentation Stations
• Extended Farm-to-Bar hours
• Live Music
• Round Trip transportation options from Carpinteria and Santa Barbara via the ‘Pickle Bus’ includes complimentary kombucha for all riders. $10.
• Data results from collaborative study with Slow Food Ventura County on fermented foods, probiotics, and our microbiome/mycobiome.