The annual Good Food and Seed Festival (GFSF) celebrates the rich diversity and heritage of traditional and indigenous foods from Zimbabwe. The 10 th edition was held in September 2023, in Harare. The study objective was to evaluate the impact of the festival on the participants (smallholder farmers and attendees). Short pre‐coded survey questionnaires were administered to 40 smallholder farmers/stall‐holders (first‐time and frequent) and 107 attendees (first‐time and frequent). Overall, female stall‐holders constituted the majority of respondents (62.5%), accounting for 40% of first‐time and 60% of returning stall‐holders. The results showed that the majority of the stall‐holders were from Harare (first‐timers, 81.8% and returning, 41.4%; first‐timers, 60% and frequent, 41.9% respectively). Stall‐holders lacked financial support (first‐timers 90.9% and returning 79.3%), thus affecting participation. First‐time stall‐holders (45.5%) and returning (55.2%) showcased traditional and indigenous food crops. First‐time (54.5%) and returning (75.9%) stall‐holders displayed healthy products. Stall‐holders (first‐timers, 72.7% and returning, 31%) expected all age groups at the festival. First‐time stall‐holders (45.5%) expected to make a profit. Returning stall‐holders (62.1%) saw an increase in customers, learnt new farming techniques (34.5%) and earned a medium income (62.1%). Responses from the attendees showed that, most were aged between 20 and 29 years (first‐time, 43.5% and frequent, 36%). More females attended the festival (first‐timers, 67.7% and frequent, 68.9%). Most first‐time attendees (28.8%) purchased and leant about traditional and indigenous seeds and foods (71%), while returning attendees (33.3%) came back for the traditional food and knowledge (48.9%). Marketing of the festival can be enhanced through social media and journalists (first‐time, 62.3% and frequent attendees, 64.4%). The geographical location significantly ( p < 0.05) influenced how the attendees heard about the festival and favourite purchase ( p < 0.05). Attendance at the festival was linked to the favourite purchase by the attendees ( p < 0.05). The festival had a positive impact on all participants and should be promoted in order to foster the recognition and empowerment of women as primary custodians of these seeds, while preserving Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage and the consumption of indigenous and traditional foods.
Kujeke et al. (Thu,) studied this question.