BOISE — Idaho’s local food system is the focus of the third annual Field to Fork Festival.

The festival will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 20 at Jack’s Urban Meeting Place, 1000 W. Myrtle St., Boise.

A major element of the free festival is an indoor market and trade fair featuring more than 80 independent food producers, culinary artisans and others in the local food industry, according to FARE Idaho, which is hosting the event. The group advocates independent food and agriculture producers, restaurants and beverage establishments.

Hands-on cooking classes, a series of panel discussions, and a seed planting event for kids are also planned.

The Nampa-based Zamzows chain of lawn and garden stores and Snake River Seed Cooperative will host seed planting, which is new to the festival.

“This hands-on activity will give children a chance to plant seeds and learn about the field-to-fork concept in a fun, interactive way,” said FARE Idaho executive director Tammie Halcomb.

Panel discussions and networking opportunities will highlight challenges and opportunities in the local food system.

“Idaho’s food system is filled with potential, but there are gaps that need to be addressed to fully support local producers and consumers,” Halcomb said. A key opportunity lies in “building stronger connections between producers, consumers and businesses to foster a more robust local food economy,” she said.

Events like the festival “help strengthen these connections, celebrate our shared values and highlight the role of community in supporting a thriving local food system.”

Field to Fork emphasizes “creating a stronger sense of community around local food,” Halcomb said.

The festival is a “celebration of Idaho’s local food system and a way to bring people together,” she said. “It’s a place to learn, share and enjoy everything Idaho’s independent farmers, ranchers, food producers and artisans have to offer.”