''It will have a hunter-gather theme, so we expect venison, pork, duck, lovely local fish, perhaps some toheroa [shellfish] and maybe some strange fish and maybe some strange and wonderful things like huhu grubs,'' Invercargill Rotary Club president Mark Bain said yesterday.
The club confirmed plans yesterday for a festival on February 15 at Stadium Southland. The date coincides with the weekend most of the yachts competing in the first Auckland to Bluff ocean race are expected to be berthed at the southern port.
The club's Southern Wild Food Festival committee would call for registrations of interest from stallholders next month, Mr Bain said.
''We will be looking for around 21 food stallholders, including 10 commercial operators and the balance community groups.''
It was hoped the festival would be held annually, he said.
Festival proceeds would be used to fund community projects. The recipient of the first year's proceeds is the Rape and Abuse Support Centre Southland.
Mr Bain said three club members visited the Hokitika Wild Food Festival and the club had researched the mechanics of a wild foods festival extensively before deciding to go ahead.
Discussions were also being held with local Maori and government departments about sourcing wild foods such as toheroa, which required a permit to harvest.
