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BC Restaurants Participate in Buy BC: EAT DRINK LOCAL, Launching May 1st

Photo: Darren Hull

The GOODS from EAT DRINK LOCAL

Buy BC: EAT DRINK LOCAL, launching May 1, is designed as a hub for drinking and dining locally across BC. Starting in May, British Columbians and visitors alike are encouraged to go out and taste the best BC has to offer – be it in a local restaurant or in a local beverage tasting room.

Buy BC: EAT DRINK LOCAL is about celebrating local sipping and dining experiences – but it is bigger than that too: the goal is to grow connections between BC restaurants, chefs, farmers, wineries, breweries and distilleries – because being proud of our local agriculture, seafood and local flavours is important.

The quality of BC ingredients set the food and drink apart – and in restaurants, wineries and craft breweries, that makes for special tasting experiences.

Buy BC: EAT DRINK LOCAL follows closely on the tails of BC Wine Month. “We think that the spring is a great time to try unique local flavours and enhance dining out,” says Ian Tostenson, president and CEO of the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association.

To find venues near you go to: EatDrinkLocal.ca. Restaurants around the province are participating – it’s open to independent operators, fine dining, casual dining and restaurant groups too.

Chef Andrea Callan of Red Fox Club | Photo: Darren Hull

The participants must show their commitment to supporting BC – and to providing great taste experiences that highlight BC food and drink. Some restaurants have direct relationships with particular farms that grow all their vegetables or provide all their pork – and others have commitments to support individual commodities: for example only serving BC chicken and BC eggs in all their dishes. Some restaurants offer a BC only wine and beer list.

“It’s about celebrating the diversity of BC offerings at different price points and in different styles,” says Tostenson. “Depending on the restaurant, the offerings will differ – but the commitment to buying BC and showcasing local flavours is at the core of every participating venue. When we hear of unique partnerships or BC crops you never knew about, Buy BC: EAT DRINK LOCAL will share those stories through our @EatDrinkBuyBC social media and website platforms.”

When British Columbians can identify and source local, seasonal and sustainable food, they are supporting many businesses across our community – and that matters because it creates and sustains jobs across the province.

Tostenson, who came from an extensive background in BC wine, continues: “When BC is in your glass, or on your plate at a restaurant, we know it simply tastes better and we encourage everyone to go out and see for themselves.”

Buy BC: EAT DRINK LOCAL helps make meals out memorable for residents and visitors. The campaign is a joint initiative between the Ministry of Agriculture and the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association (BCRFA). For more information, eatdrinklocal.ca is a year round resource for taste experiences that proudly support BC farmers, producers, harvesters and growers first.

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