Arundel's fourth annual community celebration of food and drink returns this weekend, launched by the monthly Farmers’ Market tomorrow.

The market will have more than 40 stallholders selling food and drink from across the county, while in Tarrant Square, The Hungry Guest will be hosting bread-making demonstrations and a Sussex Breakfast stall offering artisan breads, home-made jams and Fairtrade coffee.

Also launching tomorrow will be two Arundel Food Festival Treasure Hunts, organised by Tents N Events, which run throughout the festival, starting from Lulamae’s in High Street and Arundel Museum in Mill Road for £5 per entry. For more information visit www.arundel.org.uk/treasurehunts or call 01903 882214.

Throughout the festival, the museum will be focusing on food and recipes through the ages, including a gingerbread tasting on Saturday, October 26.

The focus turns to the family on Sunday, with a series of free events in the town square, including apple pressing with the National Trust, cookery demonstrations from community chef Robin van Creveld, Fairtrade tastings, healthy eating competitions and the second annual veg and produce swap, as gardeners and allotment holders get rid of their excess produce in return for home-made jams, chutneys and cakes.

There will also be the chance to find out about Arundel’s community orchard in Herington’s Field, off Fitzalan Road, and tips from an experienced allotment holder at the Priory Road site, off Ford Road.

Other highlights during the week include a series of free wild food foraging expeditions with Forest Knights, a local beer and cider night at the Red Lion in Town Square from today to Sunday, and two evenings of comedy and food at the Swan Hotel in High Street with Drip Action Theatre for £30 each tomorrow and Sunday.

Special food festival menus on offer over the next week include a game tasting menu at Burpham Country House And Brasserie in The Street, Burpham, an autumnal menu at Belinda’s Tearoom in Tarrant Street, and specially made soups at Grounds Coffee Shop in High Street.

  • Visit www.arundelfoodfestival.org.uk