It’s not yet November, but the polls are open for a different (and perhaps tastier) election.
The We Heart Local Awards – which recognize the best homemade, homegrown and homebrewed food and drinks across the province – are taking votes for 343 B.C. nominees in the second annual contest. The inaugural awards last year garnered 239 contenders.
Restaurants, food trucks, breweries, farmers’ markets, chocolatiers, cafés, delis, bakeries and donuteries are just a few of the types of businesses on the extensive voting list. Given the variety of businesses, the nominees are broken up into 15 categories by type, including best U-pick farm, winery, orchard or fruit supplier, cheese maker and greenhouse or veggie grower.
New Westminster contenders include B2B Network of Women - New Westminster (Best Local Advocate), the Steel & Oak Brewing Co. (Best Local Brewery), Donald’s Market (Best Store to Buy Local) and the Royal City Farmers’ Market (Best Farmers' Market).
The We Heart Local Awards were started by the B.C. Agriculture Council and the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as numerous passionate food groups and enthusiasts, with an aim to encourage more British Columbians to buy and eat locally.
By voting, each person is automatically entered to win a $100 gift card to their local farmers’ market. Each vote also puts them in the running for the grand prize: a three-night culinary getaway at Taku Resort and Marina on Quadra Island, with cooking classes from some of B.C.’s most popular chefs.
Voting closes on Sept. 16 and the winners will be announced on Sept. 17. To vote, go to weheartlocalawards.ca.
