The challenge is on as local producers, vendors and growers fight it out for the heart and votes of residents of Richmond and beyond.
On Tuesday voting will begin for the second annual We Heart Local Awards, where people can select their favourite local businesses to compete in one of 15 categories, such as Favourite Farmers’ Market to Favourite Local Winery.
The event, which debuted just last year, hopes to unit the community, while supporting local producers in the province.
Lush Berry Farms, is just one of the Richmond contendors. The local berry farm, which has been operating since 1909, is run by four siblings.
Lush Berry has been nominated in the Local Orchard or Fruit Supplier category, thanks to their 100 per cent blueberry jams, juices and smoothies.
Nominations can still be made until Tuesday. After that, anyone living in B.C. can vote for their favourite local producer, vendor or grower until Sept. 16. All voters will be placed in a weekly draw for a chance to win a $100 gift card for the farmer’s market of their choice.
In addition, voters will also be entered in a grand-prize draw for a three-night stay at the Taku Cookery Resort and Marina, valued at $2,000. Last year, the contest saw more than 10,000 votes for 230 competing nominees.
We Heart Local hopes that this year’s turnout will be even larger, and with the strong start they’ve gotten off to (161 nominees already selected) such results seem possible.
The We Heart Local Partnership (previously Buy Local. Eat Natural) is a not-for-profit group with support from the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and the B.C. Agriculture Council, as well as associations such as the B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets and the BC Dairy Association.
“We can make our food system and agricultural industry stronger through these conversations, connecting farmers, chefs, artisans, retailers, and wineries to each other and to consumers,” said Debbra Mikaelsen, who was voted Favourite Local Advocate in last year’s We Heart Local Awards. “Our B.C. backyard is an amazing place and there’s a lot to celebrate here!”
Vote online at www.weheartlocalbc.ca
