Alive Fest returns to Gosford

With the cost-of-living crisis deeply impacting so many Coasties, there’s no better time to be conscious of self-care and wellbeing.

This year’s Alive Fest, now in its eighth year as the premier plant-based eco-fest in the state, will be held in Gosford on March 8 and focus on all the challenges of body and mind-care.

Many speakers and stallholders will focus on healing and self-care.

“There’s no doubt that the Coast comes to Alive Fest for a great feed,” festival producer Glenn Fraser said.

“People visit from as far as the Blue Mountains and Canberra to indulge in the global assortment of delicacies.

“But we’re always looking ahead for how we might anticipate the needs of the community, and right now, we know people are struggling.”

Leeanne Needs’ Body Reflections is a massage business and long-term Alive Fest collaborator.

“Obviously, I’m very hands on with my business and I’m feeling the physical and emotional pain that people are holding onto” Needs said.

“Their body tells me the real story.

“People are trying to take their health more seriously.

“ And those doing the best are taking a holistic approach.

“It’s not just the body you have to look after.

“You have to tend to your emotional core and do the inner work, too.”

Dietitian and founder of Nooch Nutrition Meghan Quinlan specialises in plant-based nutrition and diets across the lifecycle, while emphasising that the science around nutrition is just one piece of the puzzle.

“I quickly noticed, early in my dietetics career, that traditional health and nutrition messaging often doesn’t translate to practical needs of neurodiverse populations, particularly children,” she said.

“Sensory challenges around food need to be affirmed and acknowledged, to ensure effective collaboration with children and their families to achieve positive outcomes.

“Children and families need support in finding tailored low-anxiety and budget-friendly strategies to meet the nutritional requirements for growth and development.

“Though the challenges of neurodiversity are unique, they are certainly not isolated, and neurodiverse-affirming and informed healthcare is at the forefront of ensuring children become happy and nourished adults.”

Quinlan will run a stall at the festival, as well as offering inspiration from the main stage.

“My mission as a dietitian is to call into question conventional dietary norms, and where they may misalign with shared community concerns for animal welfare, the environment, and human health,” she said.

“Making changes that stick in the long-term is really challenging.

“Pair this with how chaotically busy we all are – and the idea of switching from the familiar and nostalgic, begins to provoke anxiety for many people.

“I approach everything I do with empathy and compassion, and I help break these challenges down into small steps which are practical, achievable and affordable.”

This year will also see the Australian premiere of the popular new UK documentary I Could Never Go Vegan, produced by Alicia Silverstone and Heather Mills, at a separate venue.

Fraser said plant-based diets make up a huge proportion of certain cultural groups and religious dietary practices, all of which will be accommodated.

“We want the amazing palette of the Coast community nourished in a very three-dimensional way,” he said.

Alive Fest is supported by Central Coast Council and will take place from 9am-3pm on Saturday, March 8, at Leagues Club Park, Gosford.

The film I Could Never Go Vegan will screen at Everglades, Woy Woy, from 6pm on Sunday, March 9.