We’ve got a lot lined up for for the fest in various venues! MOCA Jacksonville is our Culture Sponsor and a host for talks and films at GastroFest. All of the events in the MOCA are free to the public!

On the MOCA Jacksonville Stage at GastroFest

11 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Educational Shorts from TedEd

Curious about the science behind what you taste? Want to know about the chemistry of cookies, the science of spicy and sweet, and why oil and water don’t mix? These shorts are informative and interesting for kids and adults.

1 p.m. Food and Social Good Panel Discussion

Food on the First Coast isn’t just about feeding your belly; sometimes it’s about nourishing the soul. GastroJax brings together representatives from four different organizations: Berry Good Farms, Children’s Home Society of Florida, Conscious Eats, and Traders Hill Farms. In each case, the act of eating, preparing, and growing food has a positive impact on people.

2:30 p.m. Getting Started with Beekeeping

Stephen DuBois of the Jacksonville Beekeepers Association shares the basics of beekeeping and how to get started in North Florida.

3:30 p.m. North Florida Rice: Yesterday and Today

It might surprise you to know that North Florida has a history of growing rice. Learn how Congaree and Penn Farm & Mills is continuing that tradition.

4:30 p.m. The Benefits of Supporting Local Agriculture

Jacksonville’s Down to Earth Farm presents the benefits to both your health and the environment when you support local agriculture.

5 p.m. How to Eat Sustainably in Jacksonville

The Organic Adventurer shows how you can eat sustainably in Northeast Florida.

5:30 p.m. Eat a Fish, Save the Reefs

A short film from the CW17’s “I Know Jax” explains how ordering lionfish, a highly invasive species, can help the health of our Florida reefs.

6 p.m. Great Traditions: The Roots and Recipes of Amazing Southern Food

Jeffrey Spear, a local foodie and the author of “The First Coast Heritage Cookbook,” discusses the origins of Southern cuisine, touching on the historical research he’s done, as well as the specific ingredients that make Southern cooking so popular and tasty.

7 p.m. St. Augustine Distillery Short Film

If you haven’t been to the St. Augustine Distillery, you can learn about its sustainable practices of using locally grown sugar cane with this short film.

7:45 p.m. Eat Drink Man Woman

Ang Lee directs this look at a Chinese family, their relationships with each other, and the sumptuous food their widowed father serves. Featuring the push and pull between the traditional and the new, with a backdrop of food masterfully prepared, this film pleases lovers of both food and film.