The Comox Valley 30-Day Local Food Challenge begins live registration and passport distribution this Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Comox Valley Farmer's Market.
Pick up your passport to more than 40 events this July and register it to be eligible for more than $3,500 in prizes, including a trip to the Okanagan, as this year鈥檚 celebration of the roots of food through the bounty of the Comox Valley gets started.
The 2011 Food Challenge includes showcase events such as the Local Libations Cocktail Competition at Old House Restaurant, a tour of the new Shelter Point Distillery in Oyster River, winery tours, canning classes, children's events, food art, jazz and tapas, shellfish celebrations and more.
You can pick up passports and register live at Saturday and Wednesday Farmer鈥檚 Markets through July 9, as well as at Canada Day celebrations in Lewis Park. Beginning Saturday, passports will be available at the Comox Valley Visitor鈥檚 Information Centre, Seeds Natural Food Market in Cumberland, Beyond The Kitchen Door in downtown Courtenay and Otter鈥檚 Kitchen Cove in downtown Comox.
Mini passports for people visiting the Valley are also available at local hotels, including the Old House Village Hotel, Best Western Plus and Holiday Inn Express, all offering discounted culinary packages during the Food Challenge.
The Comox Valley 30-Day Local Food Challenge is an immersive community experience each July that connects people to the agricultural traditions and potential of this region, experiencing local food through hands-on activities. Get all of the details at www.eatlocalcomoxvalley.com.
This year鈥檚 sponsors include the Comox Valley Record, Hellmann's Real Food Movement, Discover Comox Valley, BC Shellfish Growers Association and Bernardin Canada, with additional support from the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures Strathcona, Impact Visual Communications, Sign-age, the City of Courtenay Green Team and the Comox Valley Farmers Market Association.
鈥� Comox Valley 30-Day Local Food Challenge
