FarmFest 2016 opens at Fa Hui Park in Mong Kok (with photos)
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     The four-day FarmFest 2016 is being held at Fa Hui Park in Mong Kok from today (January 7) to January 10 to showcase a wide variety of local agricultural and fisheries products and other related goods.

     With more than 370 stalls, the FarmFest is the largest outdoor farmers' market in Hong Kong. Among them, some 200 booths offer premium local produce such as fresh organic fruit and vegetables, chilled fish, dried seafood and ornamental plants for sale. Booths selling local delicacies, kitchenware, household goods and eco-friendly products are also available.

     First held in 2007, the FarmFest has established itself as an annual signature event of the agricultural and fisheries sector. To mark the 10th anniversary of the event, a voting activity for My Favourite Agricultural and Fisheries Products was organised, inviting the public to vote for the five agricultural and five fisheries products they like most. In order of votes received, the most popular agricultural and fisheries products chosen by some 3 000 voters were sweet corn, strawberry, choi sum, lettuce and cherry tomato; and green grouper, Sabah giant grouper, grey mullet, pompano and giant grouper.

     FarmFest 2016 is one of the 10 highlighted programmes of the "Appreciate Hong Kong" Campaign. To enable the public to appreciate the efforts and achievements of the local agricultural and fisheries industry, the FarmFest and local agricultural and fisheries sectors jointly offer food-tasting sessions of local premium produce and a day trip to accredited vegetable farms, accredited fish farms and the Vegetable Marketing Organization.

     Special exhibits showing the theme products this year have been erected at the venue, demonstrating organic cultivation of colourful tomatoes on trellises, and the growing of lettuce and organic cauliflower of various colours in a simulated outdoor field. There is also a simulated fish farm to introduce cultured fishes and other aquaculture practices in Hong Kong.

     A "nostalgic market street" modelled on the half-century-old wholesale markets of the Fish/Vegetable Marketing Organization and lined with traditional shops selling local delicacies is another attraction at the carnival.

     FarmFest 2016 is offering various fringe activities such as cultural performances, talks and cooking demonstrations for the enjoyment of people of all ages. Admission is free. There is a free shuttle bus service every 15 minutes from Shek Kip Mei MTR Station Exit B1 located at Woh Chai Street.

     The event is jointly organised by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Vegetable Marketing Organization and the Fish Marketing Organization. For details, please visit the dedicated website of FarmFest (www.farmfest.hk).

Ends/Thursday, January 7, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:02

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