Okanagan-based and family-run Valorosa Foods

Valoroso Foods Grand Re-Opening. Photo by Claire Sear

Okanagan-based and family-run Valorosa Foods, a gourmet Italian and European food wholeseller to many of British Columbia’s finer grocery stores and restaurants since 1992, has two retail locations in the Okanagan. Their main retail outlet and showroom at 1497 Sutherland Avenue, remains one of the Okanagan’s best kept epicurean secrets outside of the Italian community. The family recently celebrated the outlet’s grand reopening with the completion of the building’s exterior renovations to match the chic new interior. The new space houses a gourmet grocery store, deli and authentic Italian café espresso bar with eat-in and take out sandwiches, desserts and coffee.

Kelowna’s own “Little Italy”, Valorosa Foods takes pride in sourcing the best of Italy, like their huge selection of gourmet pastas, special Italian flours, vast array of olive oils, balsamic vinegars including the aged traditional balsamics of Modena, canned Italian tomatoes, heavenly fresh Italian cheeses such as the fresh Burrata mozzarella from Puglia, divine cured Prosciutto and even fresh truffles from Alba when in season. Their outstanding deli is one of the Okanagan’s best sources for both domestic and imported cheeses, and is equally matched by their wonderful selection of cold and cured meats. Don’t miss the antipasto, marinated peppers, roasted eggplant and olive selection.

For the holiday season, Valorosa Foods brings in many special European seasonal items including baking goods, panettone (from the Veneto region), as well as biscuits, cakes and candies from across Europe. Also, find pasta machines, meat mincers, panini grills, espresso makers, and dishware from Italy. Valorosa Foods’ retail locations, unlike New York’s Dean and Deluca, offers the very best of Italy at wholesale prices. Not to be missed.

Kelowna Main Retail Outlet and Showroom.1467 Sutherland Avenue. 250-860-3631

West Kelowna Retail Outlet. 2441 D Main Street (insider tip: use the back parking lot adjacent to Quality Green’s parking lot). 250-452-9401