A Mossley business which has placed community support at the heart of its ethos since opening is preparing to stage its first ever Pride celebration.
The Veg Lord, based at Warmco Industrial Estate, will host its ‘Eat Colourful, Live Proud!’ event on Saturday, August 22, from 10am until 4pm.
The free event will bring together food, music, art and entertainment while raising money for George House Trust, a Manchester charity supporting people living with HIV.
Visitors can expect free food samples, gift stalls, music from a DJ, games and free face painting, alongside an art exhibition and auction.
The event also reflects the inclusive ethos of The Veg Lord, where several members of staff are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Organisers said: “This will be our very first Pride event for the community and promises to be a day full of inclusivity.
“Get ready to celebrate PRIDE the tasty way while raising funds for The George House Trust.”
The Pride event is the latest chapter for a business which first opened its doors in Mossley in 2022.
Founded by Matthew Gilmartin, The Veg Lord initially operated as a pop-up and delivery service before moving into a permanent unit at Warmco Industrial Estate later that year.
From the outset, the business was built around providing good-quality fresh produce at affordable prices while giving something back to the area.
The Veg Lord has made weekly donations of fresh produce to Mossley Foodbank since opening and has also acted as a collection point for other food donations.
Its produce boxes also became known for including recipe ideas designed to encourage customers to cook from scratch and make the most of the ingredients they received. The business has since expanded its range to include locally sourced dairy and pantry products, while also supplying pubs, restaurants and cafes.
Matthew previously told the Correspondent that supporting charities was fundamental to the business from day one, saying he could not start a food business without also supporting organisations helping people with food.
Four years on, that community focus continues with its first Pride event.
With the theme ‘Eat Colourful, Live Proud!’, organisers hope the day will bring people from Mossley and the wider Tameside area together while raising funds for George House Trust.
The event is completely free to attend, with free on-site parking also available.