With public discourse touching upon sustainability concerns, food security, and price profiteering from large grocery chains, it's a timely year for locals and visitors alike to experience the fun and immersive opportunities of Flavour Trails.
Flavour Trails showcases local food makers and farms through a community celebration that grows the local food economy while creating opportunities for community food literacy for the Saanich community and visitors to the region, said Linda Geggie, executive director of Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiatives Roundtable (CRFAIR).
CRFAIR produces it in partnership with the District of North Saanich, Destination Greater Victoria, and for the first time ever, the District of Saanich, bringing Flavour Trails to Saanich from July 6 to 7.
On July 6, visitors can take a marked trail route throughout Saanich (look for the flags), exploring up to nine vendors including local distilleries, honey producers, farmers, and farm gates, showcasing everything from flowers to honey to beer and cider.
On Sunday, July 7, CRFAIR will host the first-ever Savour Saanich Flavour Trails Market at the 57th Annual Strawberry Festival at Beaver Lake - featuring everything from wool goods to cupcakes, and tacos to farm produce – on offer from 11-4 p.m. Food diversity will be on full display as newcomer makers and creators will develop and present an array of multi-ethnic, cultural foods and recipes adapted from BC ingredients.
And, of course, it wouldn't be a Flavour Trail without the signature Zucchini Races, taking place at the market.
Thousands of locals and visitors participate in the annual Flavour Trails programs, said Geggie.
Getting acquainted with our local farmers/producers is important because it's the foundation for building a more resilient and sustaining local food supply, she explains. Producing and gathering food close to home reduces the impacts of climate change, grows a more circular economy and promotes better health and diets.
"For example, when you visit Farmer David Chambers at Madrona Organic Farm during Savour Saanich Flavour Trails, you can learn how he cares for the land and produces food for thousands of residents. You begin to understand how purchasing Madrona Farm's carrots not only supports a family farm but also cares for the planet," Geggie said.
The trail also teaches about environmental stewardship, land access challenges, labour shortages, and more.
"The more we know about our local producers and the work and heart that goes into delivering our regional foods, the more we understand and value these foods and those who produce them."
Due to B.C.'s climactic conditions, it's possible for B.C. farmers to grow well over 200 commodities and the agricultural sector employs over 46,000 people who work on nearly 20,000 B.C. farms, according to the Government of B.C.
"The diversity and availability of foods produced on Vancouver Island is incredible! In fact, Greater Victoria’s South Island Farm Hub works with over 115 makers and farmers and lists over 1000 products throughout the year that are available to residents at the click of a mouse," said Geggie, adding that purchasing local supports important facets of the B.C. economy.
Krista Larsen, program, events and partnership development manager at CRFAIR, added that Flavour Trails offers something beyond grocery shopping.
"When you're on the land, there's a greater connection, a greater impact. That's what we're trying to build," she said. "It's a public literacy trail where we build experiences, tastings, demos and fun farm-related activities for everyone."
Learn more at flavourtrails.com/.
