How DEVOUR Brings Community to the Table in Nova Scotia

Each October, thousands of people make their way to Wolfville for the DEVOUR Food Film Fest. What began as a small gathering built around food, film, and local culture has grown into one of Nova Scotia’s most recognizable events, attracting visitors from across Canada and internationally.

But according to founder and executive director Michael Howell, DEVOUR was never just about movies or fine dining.

At its core, the festival was created to connect people through food.

“Everybody’s got to eat,” Howell says. “One of the things that unites us around the world is being at the table with somebody.”

That idea has shaped DEVOUR since its beginning in 2009. Rooted in the principles of the Slow Food movement, the festival was designed not only to celebrate food, but also to deepen people’s understanding of where it comes from and the people who produce it.

What started as a handful of films and restaurant events has evolved into a week-long festival that welcomes thousands of attendees each year. Along the way, it has attracted acclaimed chefs, filmmakers, authors, and notable guests from around the world while maintaining strong ties to the Annapolis Valley community that helped build it.

Building Connections Through Food

Food has a unique ability to bring people together. It crosses cultures, generations, and backgrounds in a way that few other experiences can.

That belief is reflected throughout DEVOUR’s programming. While the festival includes premium dining experiences and film screenings, its organizers have worked intentionally to ensure there is something for everyone.

“We wanted to make it larger, bigger, and not just exclusive,” Howell explains. “Not just fancy dinners and lots of wine, but events that speak to all people regardless of where they’re from.”

That commitment has become one of DEVOUR’s defining characteristics. The festival serves as both a cultural attraction and a community gathering place, creating opportunities for visitors and residents alike to connect through shared experiences.

The Heart of Community: The Great DEVOUR Community Chicken Supper

Perhaps no event reflects that mission better than the Great DEVOUR Community Chicken Supper.

Held at the conclusion of the festival, the supper brings together hundreds of people for a free meal supported by volunteers, sponsors, and local partners.

For many attendees, it may be their first interaction with DEVOUR. For others, it has become an annual tradition.

The event exists to ensure that participation in the festival is not limited by financial barriers. While some festival activities require paid admission, the chicken supper creates a welcoming space where anyone can gather, enjoy a meal, and experience the sense of community that DEVOUR strives to create.

“We wanted to show that we could do more,” says Howell. “That we’ve had a great week, but let’s all give back.”

The event would not be possible without significant volunteer involvement. More than 50 volunteers help prepare food, serve guests, set up the venue, and create the warm atmosphere that has become synonymous with the supper.

Their efforts are supported by community partners, including the Chicken Farmers of Nova Scotia, who have donated the chicken used for the event year after year.

An Economic and Cultural Impact

The benefits of DEVOUR extend well beyond the festival grounds.

According to Howell, a 2019 economic impact study estimated the festival contributed $1.9 million to the regional economy. Those benefits reached hotels, restaurants, shops, wineries, local producers, farmers, and numerous small businesses throughout the Annapolis Valley.

Yet the impact is not measured solely in dollars.

Over the past 16 years, DEVOUR has helped position Wolfville and the Annapolis Valley as a destination for food, culture, and tourism. It has introduced visitors to local farms, wineries, markets, restaurants, and community traditions that continue to support the region long after the festival concludes.

Just as importantly, it has provided a platform for local producers, chefs, artists, and community organizations to tell their stories and showcase what makes Nova Scotia unique.

Moments That Matter

When asked to reflect on the festival’s impact, Howell didn’t point to attendance numbers or economic statistics.

Instead, he shared a story.

During last year’s Community Chicken Supper, a visiting food writer found himself surrounded by hundreds of people enjoying a simple meal together. There was live music, dancing, laughter, and the smell of roast chicken filling the room.

The experience moved him to tears.

For Howell, it was a reminder of what DEVOUR is really about.

Not celebrity guests. Not sold-out events.

Community.

Creating moments where people feel welcome, connected, and part of something larger than themselves.

Looking Ahead

While DEVOUR continues to evolve, its purpose remains remarkably consistent.

The festival uses food and film as a starting point, but the larger goal is to create connection. Whether someone attends a documentary screening, a culinary workshop, a chef-led dinner, or simply enjoys a meal at the Community Chicken Supper, the experience is designed to bring people together.

As Howell puts it, DEVOUR has a little something for everyone.

And in a world that often feels increasingly disconnected, that may be exactly what makes it so important.

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