Canoe Brewpub & the VDP Market Society: Love a Farmer

By Maryanne Carmack, Communications, the Victoria Downtown Public Market Society

Last Wednesday March 14th, Canoe Brewpub launched their new Belgian Pale Ale in conjunction with the Victoria Downtown Public Market Society (VDPMS) Love a Farmer event – celebrating local farmers and Island producers. The two make a brilliant pairing!

The beer launch drew an early crowd eager to taste the creative Belgian beer brewmaster Daniel Murphy created. The tasting quickly transitioned into a packed room with many farmers, producers, business owners and members of the public wanting to learn more about Vancouver Island food security issues and the good work of the VDPMS. Canoe offered free samples of their Belgian beer and Belgian waffles, and tasty treats were available from three VDPMS farmers’ market vendors – Cold Comfort, Cowichan Pasta and Vancouver Island Salt Co. The VDPMS invited Brent Warner, former Executive Director of Farmer’s Markets Canada, to tell us about the economic benefits of farmers’ markets on local economies. The discussion was followed by a screening of the amazing new local agriculture documentary Ingredients, a celebration of the farm to table movement and exploring solutions for creating a community-based seasonal food system.

There was also an exciting raffle at the end of the night featuring local food-centered prizes, with all proceeds going towards the establishment of a downtown public market.

The VDPMS Summer markets will start in April. See you there

VDPMS: Philippe Lucas (Chair), Maryanne Carmack (Communications) & Scott Kelly

VDPMS would like to thank all those who participated in this great event, Canoe Brewpub for being such kind hosts, Brent Warner for sharing his vast knowledge and experience, and the following businesses for donating prizes: Canoe Brewpub, Truffles, Cascadia Liquor, Silk Road, Sunset Room, Foo, Ottavio, The London Chef, Island Chefs Collaborative, Saanich Organics, Ingredients, Kristin Grant & VDPMS vendors!