Find out some of what’s on offer at this year’s St Albans Sustainability Festival

Herts Advertiser: Peddling Pizza in St Albans.Peddling Pizza in St Albans. (Image: Archant)

You have to be pretty blinkered not to be aware that climate change is the hot issue right now. If gluing yourself to a building or blocking roads in central London isn't your thing, then there is an easier way. We have our very own Sustainability Festival in St Albans starting next week, so you can take action a little closer to home.

If you do one thing, make it the Market Takeover on Sunday May 19 right on St Peter's Street. As ever, I'm all about the food, and it sounds amazing, with Peddling Pizza, Farr Brew, Pudding Stop, Tara's Vegan Treats, The Green Kitchen, Rainforest Creations, Crumbs n' All and many more selling delicious veggie and vegan food. You will need to queue up for Peddling Pizza as per usual, but the vegan 'Spanglish', with tomato, roast peppers, chorizo shroomdog and fresh rosemary sounds worth it. It's free to go along and there will be live music, shopping, eco-bikes and cars to try and much more. Redbournbury Mill will be selling their amazing bread, and Eat Whole Foods and Refill Pantry will be there so you can buy your groceries. The market is on 11am-5pm - see you there!

SustFest runs for three weeks this year (May 11 to June 1) so there is a lot to do. If you are quick you might be able to book a place at Charlie's vegan brunch (two sittings, 9am and 11am) on the day of the market takeover. You get three courses cooked by Chappell and Caldwell (£29 a head), with plenty of coffee of course. Book at chappellandcaldwell.com.

If you want some new ideas about how to cook veggie food, then the free (!) cookery class on May 15 and 17 at The Cobbled Kitchen sounds fun. Book soon at thecobbledkitchen.co.uk.

I love the sound of the family picnic in Verulamium Park on Saturday June 1. Hosted by mamabamboo, just turn up between 12noon and 2pm, taking along your own packed lunch, hopefully wrapped in beeswax or your trusty lunchbox. A lovely way to encourage good eco habits in our youngsters.

Lussmanns is hosting a four-course vegetarian meal with English sparkling wine on Tuesday May 14 (35 a head). They have teamed up with 'war on waste' ambassador Rubies in the Rubble, who you might know from the award-winning sauces and chutneys sold in Harrods, Waitrose and Fortnum & Mason - eating sustainably can be quite glamorous, it seems! The dinner is at the St Albans branch; book at lussmanns.com.

I love that The Courtyard Cafe are making a special Sumptuous Soup throughout the festival using some of their own-grown ingredients; always worth a trip there.

If you prefer to be eco lying on the sofa, then Box Local has a great offer. For £16 they will deliver a box to you containing six different vegetables and fruit, 100g of Wobbly Bottom cheese, free range eggs and a jar of local honey. Order at boxlocalfood.co.uk.

It's worth picking up one of the free brochures that are all around town at the mo, as with them you can get discounts from local retailers, such as 50p off a coffee at Parker & Vine (take your own cup). All the info about events is listed; there are lunches, grow-your-own sessions, farm tours, bread-making, open gardens and loads more. You can find all the info on sustainablestalbans.org too.