Tuesday, April 10, 2018: Okanagan restaurants, wineries, breweries and distilleries are gearing up for the Buy BC: EAT DRINK LOCAL program. The first month-long promotion of its kind starts May 1 and will be the hub for drinking and dining locally across BC. The promotion celebrates BC flavours, with restaurants inspiring your tastebuds and providing unique local dining experiences. Restaurants across the province will feature local produce, meat, fish dishes on the menu paired, when possible, with local beers, wines and spirits.
The province-wide Buy BC: EAT DRINK LOCAL campaign is an educational campaign with bonuses. Local organizer Christina Ferreira of Impact Events is excited to lead this new initiative: “The campaign is about growing relationships between BC restaurants, chefs, farmers and producers and about building preference for everything that is grown, harvested and produced in BC.”
“We’re in year one, but we know this will be a great opportunity to follow up on BC Wine Month – which we are celebrating right now. When British Columbians can easily identify and source local, seasonal and sustainable food, they are also investing in their communities – in their local farmer, fisher or grower – and that matters to the Okanagan because it creates and sustains jobs.”
BC Restaurant and Food Services Association president and CEO Ian Tostenson is pleased to present the campaign with the BC Ministry of Agriculture. “Eating and drinking locally is extremely important for showcasing a strong BC economy and the vital partnership between industries that feed British Columbians every day,” says Mr. Tostenson. “Farmers, growers, brewers, winemakers and chefs are partners in providing taste experiences that define our region and make meals memorable for locals and visitors.”
BC Tastes Better – and the program is designed as a great way to celebrate our unique flavours. The quality of BC ingredients set the food and drink apart – and in restaurants, that makes for special culinary experiences.
Through the program, people are encouraged to dine out and support BC business throughout the month of May. “We hope that people agree with us that #BCTastesBetter, check out @EatDrinkBuyBC or eatdrinklocal.ca and find a restaurant in your neighbourhood that is part of the promotion. If you are looking for refreshing BC sips, visit one of the participating BC wineries, breweries or distilleries that offer tastings. Menus will profile dishes made with fresh, local ingredients and offer beverages produced in our own communities,” says Christina.
The Buy BC: EAT DRINK LOCAL campaign is delivered by the British Columbia Restaurant and Food Service Association (BCRFA) in partnership with the Government of British Columbia. Ian Tostenson, CEO of the BCRFA will be in Kelowna on Thursday, April 12, and is available for interviews.
For more information, the website eatdrinklocal.ca is a year round resource to look for taste experiences that proudly support BC farmers, producers, harvesters and growers first.
About the British Columbia Restaurant & Food Services Association
The British Columbia Restaurant & Food Services Association (BCRFA) is the largest and most progressive industry organization in British Columbia. BCRFA produces the annual Dine Around Okanagan in January to encourage locals to experience restaurants in the Okanagan area. This collective group of restaurant professionals is devoted to the sole purpose of creating the most favourable business environment for its members. As the voice of BC restaurants, it is dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of its unique industry partners and restaurant members, providing valuable information and exclusive opportunities. With more than 40 years of experience and with more than 3,000 members, the BCRFA continues to be the foremost resource for the industry. For more information, visit http://www.bcrfa.com/.
