The Comox Valley 30-day Local Food Challenge begins July 2 and organizers, chefs, food producers and farmers across the region are set to showcase the bounty of the fields, and waters of the region.
“This came about as the result of a passion for creating a dinner-table conversation about building community through food,” said event organizer Robin Rivers. “It began as a way to give people the chance to get out and meet the people who grow, harvest and produce what they eat and has now become a destination for foodies across Western Canada.”
The month-long festival offers locals and visitors alike a hands-on foodie experience including showcase events at award-winning wineries such as Blue Moon and Coastal Black, facility tours and tastings at food producers such as nationally acclaimed Natural Pastures Cheese Co., cultural food events with the K’ómoks First Nation and a Breakfast and Blues celebration of music and food.
You can join nationally renowned chef Ronald St. Pierre along with veteran and budding chefs at local restaurants through the region as they create spectacular meals from ingredients taken from farms hosting their own public tours and soak up the vibrant community spirit of the Comox Valley while taking part in community education programs, local Farmer’s Market events, food demos and more.
The Comox Valley 30-Day Local Food Challenge is an immersive community experience from July 2 to Aug. 2 that connects people to the agricultural traditions and potential of North Vancouver Island.
Each year, local residents and visitors alike are invited to spend 30 days experiencing local food through farm and food producer tours, restaurant events, educational activities and demonstrations that showcase the work and bounty of the nearly 500 farms, dozens of food producers and food-related organizations in the Comox Valley.
The event, now in its third year is produced by Our Big Earth Media Co. with the generous support of corporate, organizational and local governmental sponsorship.
You can take a look back at the 2010 event at www.eatlocalcomoxvalley.com.
— Our Big Earth Media