As we shift into autumn, now is the perfect time to enjoy the best of the harvest season and to support the island’s growers, makers, producers and small independent businesses.
Gather your family and friends to sip, savour, shop and try something new. Bowen Food Fest (BFF) is a month-long celebration – September 22 to October 22 – of food, beverages, events and special offers.
Tourism Bowen Island Association is excited to launch this inaugural food-centric and support-local campaign in partnership with local businesses and non-profits. With inflation and other challenges, we’re all feeling the pinch these days. Buying local is more important than ever.
Each time we shop local we’re supporting fellow Bowen Islanders, creating local jobs and strengthening our community. A new study shows that for every $1 spent at a local small business, 66¢ stays in the community versus only 11¢ when purchasing from a multinational (source LOCO BC). Shopping local also has a smaller carbon footprint.
Local chefs and producers are crafting new seasonal foods and BFF showcases a variety of special offerings and events. Learn about regenerative growing when you attend the open garden tour at Grafton Commons Community Garden on Sunday, September 24. Freshly-picked champagne grapes, green beans, squash and styrian pumpkins will be on sale, too.
Alderwood Farm is creating a variety of specialty food packs to make your life easier and tastier, featuring take & bake entrées, dips, desserts and snacks. Grab a Happy Hour or a Movie/Game Night pack for your next Netflix night.
Apple Harvest Fest, on Saturday, September 30, is a family-friendly event including a makers & farmers market, orchard tours, cider samples and in the evening a Harvest Fest Long Table Dinner featuring asado roast pig and lamb, local produce and cider pairings. Reserve your tickets at Meadowbrook Market before the dinner sells out.
Cocoa West Chocolatier is creating a trio of seasonal pie chocolates for BFF – apple, pumpkin and pecan. Yummy!
Back by popular demand, Barcelona Tapas & Wine Bar is presenting Paella Sundays and a new seasonal dish Fideos con Merguez with house-made merguez (lamb sausage).
Visit Tosh Home & Garden to sample local specialty foods and learn new creative recipes.
If you want to hone your culinary skills, Chef Erik Miller at Meadowbrook Market is offering two hands-on Whole Butchery workshops in October, including a sausage-making workshop where you’ll take home 10 pounds of links.
These are just few of the events and special offerings during BFF. We suggest that you go to the Bowen Food Fest webpage to view all listings and vendors. There’s a Bowen Food Fest Contest, too, that you can enter each time you visit a participating BFF vendor. Thank you for buying and supporting Bowen’s growers, makers, producers and small businesses.
For more information visit Tourism Bowen Island’s website www.tourismbowenisland.com. You’ll find the Bowen Food Fest webpage in the top menu. If you have a question, email [email protected]. Bon appétit everyone!
