Festival of Real Bread Returns for Its Third Year

The Scottish Festival of Real Bread, a one-day celebration of community, sustainability, and local food systems, is back for its third year.

Organized by Fife-based charity Bread for Good Community Benefit Society (better known as Scotland The Bread), the festival shines a spotlight on the transformative power of Real Bread and its potential to revolutionize Scotland’s food supply.

Incorporating the Scottish Bread Championship – the only UK competition for additive-free Real Bread – the Festival brings together micro, neighbourhood, community-supported, and commercial artisan bakers from all over Scotland. They will join families, community groups, farmers, bakers, and food enthusiasts from far and wide to converge on the Bowhouse food hub in Fife on Saturday 15^th February to celebrate, to learn and to connect.

A Celebration of Real Bread

The Scottish Festival of Real Bread is more than an event; it’s a movement. From field to flour and oven to table, the festival highlights the importance of locally grown grains and additive-free baking in building healthier, more sustainable food systems.

 “This festival isn’t about bread alone - it’s about creating connections,” says Andrew Whitley, co-founder and honorary chair of Scotland The Bread. “By inviting community members, farmers, bakers, researchers – in fact, everyone who in any way depends on bread – we’re fostering a collective effort to throw off the shackles of ultra-processed food and to grow equitable access to nutritious bread for all.”

Festival Highlights

Attendees will explore the journey of creating nutritious, sustainable bread while enjoying a variety of interactive activities, workshops, and discussions:

• Meet the Baker: attendees can connect with expert bakers, engage in Q&A sessions, and pick up practical tips.
• Scottish Bread Championship: the awards ceremony of this unique annual Championship, and a showcase of the best of Scottish Real Bread, sponsored by the Edinburgh Bakers Trust.
• Hands-On Workshops & Demos: hands-on baking experiences for all ages.
• Local Food & Producer Stalls: meet and buy from local food artisans and suppliers, including the biggest collation of Real Bread in Scotland.
• Mill Tours: A unique opportunity to witness the milling process firsthand at Scotland The Bread’s facility.
• The Big Thrash: children unleash their inner combine harvester and learn how every bread grain matters.

Making a Difference Together

The festival underscores Scotland The Bread’s mission to create a sustainable, locally controlled flour and bread supply. The charity works to grow nutritious wheat, reduce food miles, support local farmers, and train bakers to use local grains, all while promoting health and fairness.

Project coordinator Lyndsay Cochrane (herself also a baker at Sunrise Bakehouse in Burntisland) said:

“This Real Bread revolution is about more than food. It’s about sustainability, equality and empowering communities to replace the commodity markets that enrich a few at the expense of the health of citizens and nature. It’s local, human scale and resilient. Real Bread symbolizes the potential for positive change within our food systems.”

More Than Just a Festival

The Scottish Festival of Real Bread is a boon to Fife’s food and drink scene, showcasing the region’s thriving artisan culture. It also provides an off-season boost to local tourism, drawing visitors who are passionate about sustainability and community-focused initiatives.

Emma Johnson, Food from Fife coordinator said:

“This event has grown into a cornerstone of Fife’s culinary calendar, we’re thrilled to welcome visitors from near and far to experience this unique celebration of Real Bread.”

About Scotland The Bread

Growing in Fife, Scotland The Bread is a collaborative project focused on creating a sustainable, equitable, and locally controlled flour and bread supply. Its transformative approach—growing nutritious wheat locally and baking it close to home—supports local farmers, reduces food miles, enhances nutritional value, and fosters community connections.

Together, Scotland The Bread and its partners are working to ensure that Real Bread is more than just food—it’s a tool for building a better, fairer, and healthier future for Scotland.

Get Involved

You can join in the celebration of the third annual Scottish Festival of Real Bread. Whether you’re a seasoned baker, a curious foodie, or a family looking for a fun day out, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

For more information about the festival and Scotland The Bread’s work, visit scotlandthebread.org.

The Scottish Bread Championship is organised by Scottish Food Guide, Scotland The Bread and sponsored by the Edinburgh Bakers Trust. 

Pic credit: Sourdough bread loaf by grafvision via Canva