Just keep these on hand in case you need a sugar hit this season. | Image by By Lenée Son
There’s an unspoken collective agreement that December is the time where you get to gorge yourself on as much as you want, which makes it an especially wonderful time to share great food and beverages among all the people you like best. The diversity of the ingredients and of the people in our corner of the world makes shopping anything but local totally unnecessary – so while you’re thinking of treats and decadent dinners, why not have all that blissful gluttony also support creative locals who are super passionate about feeding it?
WestCoastFood.ca reaches across the Lower Mainland from Metro Vancouver to The Fraser Valley to tell food stories about the ingredients, the place, and of course, the growers, makers, and business owners that make it all thrive together. You can find pretty much anything you’re craving made right here.
Middle Eastern methods, local ingredients. No flight needed – just a Skytrain trip. | Image by Ashley Lockyer
Last year I visited Turkey, and have not forgotten the Turkish delight, made fresh, in little shops in every city. Ever since, I’ve had visions of it dancing in my head. Little did I know, there’s a place in Coquitlam (now accessible via the Evergreen SkyTrain Line) where you can get all the authentic Turkish delight you can eat, as well as rows of of traditional Middle Eastern roasted nuts, created on-site with local ingredients.
All you see above is both vegan and gluten-free. Believe it. | Image by Kathy Mak
If you are having someone who is sensitive to gluten over, or aren’t sure how to make your baking fit for a vegan, (we’ve all been there, we mean well but somehow forget traces of dairy or something) visit this family-run bakery on the North Shore to keep it simple – their whole shop is completely gluten-free and vegan.
Local fruit wines are highly sought after dinner guests. | Image by Kathy Mak
Wines, beers, and spirits are my go-to when it comes to secret Santas, host gifts, and stress relief. There are so many local shops that make things like fruit wines, honey meads, spirits made from North Shore pine needles and, as we all know, so much craft beer you could swim in it. The local breweries, wineries, and distilleries always have something unique and seasonal going on to make you look more like a connoisseur than an alcoholic to the relatives.
I bet there are TONS of local craft beer the drinking enthusiast in your life hasn’t even heard of yet. | Image by Ashley Lockyer
WestCoastFood is all about local foods, ingredients, chefs, and restaurateurs. Find creative ideas in every neighborhood for foodie gifts and experiences.
Website: WestCoastFood.ca
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