It’s kind of hip to be into food right now. I mean, it’s always been hip to certain groups, but now it’s at a whole new level. And rightfully so.

What’s great about the current movement is how many segments exist for people to identify with. There’s the “cause bacon” kind of group that just doesn’t give a shit. They’ll eat anything. There’s the “cause bacon” group that does give a shit. There are the vegans. The non-GMOs. The vegetarians. The “only organics” type. There are the “grow your own type”, followed by the “raise your own” type, followed very closely by the “slaughter your own” type. There are fermenters. Locavores. Hyper-locavaores. Gluten-free types. Foragers. And, of course cross overs. You get the picture.

Anytime you have this kind of momentum, great, bigger, and better things are bound to occur. One of those things is the Viva La Local Food Festival.

And, with no ill intent to our good friends at SAACA, this ain’t no tasting event. This is a full-fledged, all day, farmers market, with 32 different restaurants, brewers, and wineries. Food and drink sells for $5 per item and it’s a good amount of food.

Here’s who will be dishing up cooked items:

• Acacia
• Agustin Kitchen
• Boca
• Dante’s Fire
• Foodie Fleet
• Food for Ascension
• Frankie’s Philadelphia Cheesesteaks
• Gourmet Girls
• JTED
• Kingfisher/Bluefin
• Loews Ventana Resort
• Mamas Hawaiian BBQ
• Metzger Family Restaurants
• Mexico in Season
• Pasco
• Pastiche
• Prep & Pastry
• Proper
• Queen Creek Olive Mill
• Rene’s Organic Oven
• Rod’s KC Barbecue
• Snow Peas
• The Coronet Cafe
• Tumerico
• Twisted Tandoor
• Zona 78

And here’s who will be featuring adult beverages:

• Arizona Stronghold Vineyards
• Barrio Brewing Co.
• Beast Brewery
• Borderlands Brewing Co.
• Sentinel Peak
• Quench Fine Wines

Music starts at 11 and goes all day featuring The Missing Parts, Hey, Bucko, and Reno Del Mar. There’s a bike valet, a veggie valet, and it’s right on the Rillito River Walk, which means it’s an easy bike ride depending on how far from the path you live.

For more information, visit the Viva La Local website. Tucson Foodie will have a booth there, as well. This year, we are giving away free temporary Tucson Foodie tattoos.

Hope to see you there!