Food swaps

.... come away with an array of tasty things you've swapped for them.

It could also include food harvested from your garden/allotment, doesn't necessarily need to be cooked.

There are various food swap groups already established across the nation – with the more local groups of Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge having established their own following within the last year. Having attended a couple of these events now and had much discussion with like type members of our local community, it was clear that our market town of East Grinstead should not pass up the opportunity to create a food swap community of its own.

The next Tonbridge Food Swap will be happening on Saturday 28 June at 10:30 at Arranged Flowers, York Parade, Tonbridge

https://www.facebook.com/groups/283826378431098/

How to Swap
There appear to be two styles of swapping; One whereby the swapper places their goods on a table/surface with various swap cards, enabling fellow swappers to browse and state their interest as to what they would be prepared to swap on the relevant card.

The alternative to this has much more of a market style, bartering/trading type of feel to it involving the swappers meeting in a public place at a certain time – approximately 20 minutes prior to the start of the swap to give them time to place their goods on display and allow other swappers to browse before swapping.

The fun begins once the organiser(s) give the signal to ‘Start Swapping’. The atmosphere becomes instantly frenetic, as you find yourself flurrying to and fro between other swappers, getting to know new people, chatting about food and swapping your wares! For foodies it is a great way to combine the excitement of creating your favourite culinary creations whilst at the same time meeting new people within the local community.

What to Swap

The most frequent question asked is ‘What do I bring to a Swap?’ and the answer is fairly simple - if you enjoy growing it, cooking it, creating it and you can eat it – bring it along! Although initially it may seem like it, food swapping is not a competition. Whether you’ve made bread or butter, pesto or pasta, sausage rolls or swiss rolls, the focus is on swapping your food ideas and meeting new people. Whether its a favourite recipe or a new recipe, be yourself, be adventurous – its meant to be fun!