Muri-Okunola Park in Victoria Island Lagos is again the venue for the year 2023 Lagos Food Festival, that is according to the Lagos State government.
The annual festivity aimed at showcasing the Lagos food potentials to the local and international markets as well as stimulate investors’ interest in food business will hold on 10th of December 2023.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya at a press briefing said that the government of Babajide Sanwo-Olu is creating enabling environment for SME’s to blossom while synching entertainment, tourism and food to develop the state economy.
The theme of this year’s event “A Fusion of Flavours” according to her would allow food vendors to network among stakeholders, exchange information on products and services available in the global market as well as create direct and indirect Jobs for Value Chain Actors and artisans engaged to set-up activities at the festival
Lagos Food Festival 2023 is an all-inclusive event that projects the diverse food industries of the State and also connects various businesses involved in food production, processing and sales to a Lagos audience of food enthusiasts under an entertaining ambience.
Over the years, the success story of the festival has attracted more participation from vendors in the food and entertainment industry, food enthusiasts and fun seekers in the State, with testimonies of improved sales during the event and opportunities secured from the linkages after the festival.
“Lagos State remains the cultural bed for music entertainment, art, dance and drama and the Food Festival provides the platform for people to unwind and showcase the diverse food needs, the ethnic groups and nationals in the state through the varieties of sea foods, meat, poultry, fresh farm products, organic groceries, dry foods, confectionary, pastries, drinks and ready to eat consumables that will be exhibited by vendors at the venue of the festival.” she said
Employment generation
Olusanya mentioned that this year event which is expected to attract over 10,000 participants would be different as the state expected to scale up the revenue generated compared to the previous years.
She acknowledged that the year 2023 was tough for the Ministry financially as their financial targets could not be met, stressing that next year will be more prosperous for the Agric Ministry.
She said “During the Y2022 Food Festival, a total of 12,100 guests were registered as participants at the festival and over N37,000,000.00 (Thirty-Seven Million Naira) was recorded as transaction volume by the fish farmers, fishermen, fish processors, food and drinks vendors.
“Over 1,000 Lagosians benefited directly from the event in form of artisans, loaders and packers, technicians for equipment setup, festival ground and stage design/setup, sanitation crew, security personnel, transporters, support services and logistics, caterers and helpers, branding, printers and advertising, entertainers, master of ceremony, musicians, disc jockeys, stand-up comedians, event planners, rental companies and media outfits.
“1,500 direct and indirect job opportunities will be created within food through increased marketing opportunities by vendors, setup and dismantling of equipment for the festival, technicians to operate equipment and other hands engaged to provide support services. Over 5,000 induced business linkages is expected to be established after the festival, to supply fresh and processed food to consumers across the State.”
The festival, according to the state will facilitate linkage of various Agricultural Supply Chains to a market of Lagos food enthusiasts and feature side attractions that will teach and entertain participants in culinary experiences.
Lagos State has however promised fun seekers that year 2023 Food Festival would be more exciting and a day to remember.
