Townsman Staff
This week, the BC Agriculture Council and We Heart Local will once again launch We Heart Local Awards. This will be the third annual awards that markets like the Cranbrook and Kimberley Farmer's Markets.
This people's choice Awards, which runs from Aug. 17 to Sept. 14, highlights the most popular food and agriculture businesses and organizations across the province.
"The We Heart Local Awards gives people in BC a valuable platform to spread the word about the local products and food businesses they love," says Doug Smith, Operations Manager at Natural Pastures Cheese Company, voted Favourite Local Cheese Maker in the 2014 We Heart Local Awards. "We're very thankful for the local 'love' we received in 2014 from our customers and the brand awareness it's generated for our cheeses!"
Last year, Prince George Farmers' Market was voted as favourite.
Randall Stasiuk, President of the Prince George Farmers' Market, said that being nominated helped to attract more shoppers to the market.
"We are excited to see to see the list of this year's nominees," Stasiuk said. "It's time for everyone to show their local pride - let the fun begin."
All British Columbians are welcome to nominate their local BC favourites in the following 15 delicious categories:
Favourite Farmers' Market; Favourite Store to Buy Local; Favourite Local Meat or Poultry Supplier; Favourite Local Seafood Supplier; Favourite Local Cheese Maker; Favourite Local Sweet Treat; Favourite Local Advocate;
Favourite Local Winery; Favourite Local Brewery; Favourite Local Food Truck; Favourite Local U-Pick Farm; Favourite Local Orchard/Fruit Supplier; Favourite Local Restaurant or Chef; Favourite Local Florist or Nursery; Favourite Local Greenhouse or Veggie Grower.
Nominations are open from Aug. 17 - Sept. 6, while voting is open Sept. 7 - 14. Anyone living in BC can vote for their favourite nominees in the categories listed above by visitingwww.weheartlocalawards.ca.
Nominating and voting for your local BC favourites automatically enters you for a chance to win one of the weekly draws: one of five $100 gift cards to your local BC VQA store. You will also be entered in the Grand Prize draw for a luxurious three-night stay for two at Taku Resort and Marina, along with your choice of a cooking course, valued at $1,800. This prize also includes a $300 gift card for BC Ferries to cover the cost of ferry transportation to Quadra Island. The Grand Prize winner will be drawn on Sept. 15.
We Heart Local is a not-for-profit community forum that aims to promote and bring together BC's local food products, growers and producers. We Heart Local is supported by the BC Agriculture Council and sustained by thousands of passionate local food enthusiasts, like yourself! Join us here:
www.weheartlocalawards.ca
"From farm to table, it takes an entire community to grow local agriculture," says Lorne Hunter, Board Director, BC Agriculture Council. "The We Heart Local Awards is a celebration to recognize the people and businesses who are championing the economic, social and environmental sustainability of BC agriculture."
The We Heart Local Awards is a partnership between the BC Agriculture Council, Taku Resort & Marina, Wine BC, BC Association of Farmers' Markets, BC Dairy Association, LOCO BC, BC Restaurants and Foodservices Association, Tourism Vancouver and Edible Vancouver & Wine Country Magazine.