The much-anticipated 2015 We <3 Local Awards have launched! In its third year, the Awards celebrate BC’s local food community and highlight growers, producers, businesses and advocates across the province.
The people’s choice awards help spread the word about the positive impacts and contributions that local businesses are having on our local communities. The Awards, broken down into 15 various categories, cover all things deliciously local. Categories include Favourite Local Seafood Supplier, Favourite Farmers’ Market, and Favourite Local Winery among others.
In the spirit of the We Heart Local Awards, we’d like to show our local favourites a little love! Here’s a few of our team’s picks for the 2015 We Heart Local Awards:
Favourite Farmers’ Market:Trout Lake Farmers’ Market
I love the selection of delicious local produce and treats! The market always has a great atmosphere!
– Sonam
Favourite Store to Buy Local:Donald’s Market on Hasting Street.
They have a great selection of local produce and a fabulous cashier that knows the name of every person who walks through the door. – Monica
Favourite U-Pick Farm:Krause Berry Farms
This is a must on our family’s to do list each summer! – Kirstin
Favourite Local Chef or Restaurant/Cafe – There are lots of great reasons to go to Sooke on Vancouver Island, but the The Stick in the Mud is the tastiest – they’ve got baked goods, coffee and the nicest staff you’ll ever meet. Try the VO5INO – named after Sooke’s old postal code, it’s like espresso plus heaven.
– Channing
Favourite Winery:Church & State Winery
And not just because the labels on their Lost Inhibitions series are so awesome 🙂 – Kirstin
Favourite Local Florist/Nursery: Garibaldi Nurseries
They have an excellent selection of indoor and outdoor plants. The staff are very knowledgeable, passionate and very friendly. I always enjoy checking in to see what has arrived. It’s like Christmas 365 days a year! – Cinci
Favourite Local Food Truck:The Juice Truck
They have a great variety of delicious cold-pressed juices and smoothies. – Sonam
Favourite Sweet Treat: The bliss balls at Sweet Cherubim on Commercial Drive. I love almost all of their baked goods, especially when they’re straight from the oven. – Monica
Favourite Local Advocate – Hands down: Kevin Huang from the hua foundation. Whether he’s saving sharks with Shark Truth or highlighting eco-friendly local sources for Asian leafy green vegetables with the Choi Project, Kevin and his co-founder Claudia Li are deeply invested in encouraging the community to eat local. – Channing
Favourite Local Cheese Maker: Salt Spring Island Cheese Company
A must when you visit Saltspring Island! There are animals to meet, a beautiful farm to explore and cheese to taste! A perfect world. – Cinci
Have a BC favourite? Nominate them today and you’ll be automatically entered in a weekly draw to win a gift card to your local VQA store. You’ll also be entered in the Grand Prize draw for a getaway to Taku Resort and Marina, along with your choice of a cooking course for two. Nominations are open until September 6! www.weheartlocalawards.ca
