The fall harvest is on, and British Columbians are encouraged to make an extra effort to support local restaurants during this year’s Buy BC: EAT DRINK LOCAL campaign.

Some of the province’s best-tasting ingredients and products are available this time of year. These flavours are showcased in the Buy BC: EAT DRINK LOCAL campaign, which is running from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15.

The campaign features 30 days of inspirational stories about restaurants and restaurateurs to encourage people to get out and support local business and enjoy a unique B.C. dining experience.

“British Columbians are passionate about local food and I encourage people to do their part by following our Buy BC: EAT DRINK LOCAL campaign over the next month and supporting local restaurants,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. “This is a time for the province’s farmers and food producers to shine with local chefs showcasing their creative dishes using local products from all over the province. It’s a great time to enjoy the bounty of B.C.”

Buy BC: EAT DRINK LOCAL is a collaborative campaign with the ministry and the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association. In its third year, the campaign is sharing the stories of 40 restaurants throughout the province that are providing great meals and supporting local fishers, farmers, harvesters and producers.

“Restaurants across our province are a vibrant hub of dining and sharing food and beverage stories. Despite the struggles we continue to face, we are ensuring our businesses are safe for customers and staff in face of the pandemic,” said Ian Tostenson, president and CEO, BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association. “It’s been a tough 18 months, but we’re excited to celebrate the fall harvest and to connect with customers over a dish or a glass that speaks to how important food culture is to our province and to keeping passionate people employed in our industry.”

Buy BC: EAT DRINK LOCAL connects local farmers, ranchers, harvesters, producers and growers with restaurateurs and chefs who develop their menus to highlight locally grown and processed food and drinks year-round. Restaurants throughout the province are part of the food web that enhances local food-and-beverage knowledge and gives consumers a delicious opportunity to try local, seasonal and sustainable food grown here in the province.

“Our local food-producing industry and food-service industry have shown great resiliency throughout this pandemic,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. “This initiative creates new opportunities for food partnerships that will help local farmers, food producers and restaurants continue to emerge from the challenges of the past two years. This is another great example of coming together to create a stronger B.C. for everyone.”

Buy BC represents a wide range of fresh-tasting, high-quality agricultural and seafood products that are grown, harvested, raised and processed locally by British Columbians. By following the Buy BC: EAT DRINK LOCAL campaign, people can share in a collective sense of pride for the variety of products that come from B.C.’s soil and waters, and be inspired to find new dining experiences in their part of the province.

Learn More:

Find participating restaurants online, visit: https://buybc.gov.bc.ca/eat-drink-local

More information about the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association: http://www.bcrfa.com/

Buy BC promotional video: https://youtu.be/HEGqJ0aExhA

Chefs wanting to be featured can visit: https://buybc.gov.bc.ca/join-buy-bc/restaurants-chefs

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