The Eat Real Festival is an annual celebration of food organized by Food Craft Institute, in Oakland, California. The festival focuses on non-GMO, antibiotic-free food, and locally produced drinks made in a sustainable and organic manner. The festival typically includes more than 70 vendors from across the state. Entry to the festival is free and an estimated 150,000 people attend every year.[1] In 2011, the Eat Real Festival was voted the best annual event in the readers' poll conducted by the East Bay Express for the Best of the Bay.[2] All proceeds from the festival go to the Food Craft Institute.[3]
The festival is a combination of a block party and street-food festival. Similar to state fairs, participants learn about the production of food, how it is made, and who makes it.[4] The event focuses on the recruitment of food vendors that are affordable while emphasizing fresh and local ingredients.