Things are weird right now
Shopping anything but USA made + Penticton Foodie Guide
Why visit Penticton, BC?
Penticton is the second largest city in the Okanagan Wine Region, just a short 3.5 hours or so from Vancouver, BC. It is worth a visit thanks to its incredible restaurants with a booming cocktail and craft beer scene. It’s proximity to the incredible Naramata Wine Bench makes it super appealing with access to approximately 40 wineries all within a 20 minute drive or less of each other. Which reminds, me! I need to get on a guide to visiting the Naramata Wine Bench!
Things are weird right now…
“Strawberries please mom!” My 4 year old daughter asks me as we peruse the fruit section.
“I’m sorry, no. Not yet.” I reply glaring at the product of the USA sticker on top of the plastic container. I see mould growing on a large red berry at the bottom of the package. Many Canadians forgoing any product of the US and it is starting to show in the grocery aisles. Mouldy imported fruit led to large empty spaces in the fruit section. Customers taking their time to read packaging finding where items were grown, packaged, manufactured.
My kids, ages 4 and 7, are becoming savvy shoppers, asking me if their favourite fruit snacks or orange juice is affected by the tariff war. The answer is almost always yes.
Grocery stores have started to help consumers like me by creating stickers and symbols to make it easier to make quicker decisions. Canadian Product or Made in Canada in bold red next to the price tags. Loblaws has decided to display a “T” next to price tags to show if the product has a tariff on it.
Canadians, like me, are choosing Canadian made or at least anything not made in the USA. I have always been fervent in choosing local. It is what the website, this newsletter and the Youtube channel is based on. (It is also what The Okanagan Hot Chocolate Festival I and my sister founded is all about!)
The best places to eat. Locally owned only. You could say, at Foodietown.ca, we have been promoting Canadian made since before it was a movement. See our video from a couple years ago…
It is still relevant and reveals some amazing foodie finds from condiments to drinks and snacks.
Check it out if you are a Canadian looking to support even more Canadian businesses.
We (my sister Taryn and I) have been kinda stubborn about it. Supporting the locally owned was a way to explore a food scene more authentically. Eating at a locally owned restaurant means you are experiencing a local, seasonal menu and in turn about .60 cents per dollar (sometimes more) goes back into the community you’re dinning within. We love to focus on this no matter where we roam - here in the Okanagan or abroad. It is important to us to eat and experience something truly local or else what is the point of travelling? Why dine at a chain that offers the same food the world over when you can taste the place you’re visiting!?
Wherever you are in the world, have the tariffs affected your grocery and travel spending?
New this week…
Kelowna’s Croissant Crawl!
Canadian foodie products & discounts
Ultimate All Canadian Snack Box - Maybe send it to your favourite American? Or keep all the Canadian goodness for yourself!
Alicja Confections is home to Canada’s postcard chocolate bar - send one to a friend in need of a unique flavour within Canada! Get 15% off your order with code FOODIETOWNCA
CITYEATS is the largest Jamaican spice producer in Canada and is operated here in Kelowna, British Columbia. Seriously amazing spices and seasonings that are healthy! Get 10% off with code FOODIE10 at checkout.
Become a Certified Local at Haywire Winery FOR FREE! Get your card here.
The Certified Local card is free and includes:
🍷 Two complimentary tastings (for two people) per year (March 15–June 15 & September 15–December 15)
🍷 Special rates on additional tastings
🍷 Early access to exclusive events & tastings
🍷 A special gift with their second Haywire Club shipment
🍽️ Dining & accommodation perks at Summerland Waterfront Resort, Zias Stonehouse Restaurant, Summerland Heritage Cider Co., and Flambé At Home