Eat Local, Love the Planet
Sustainable culinary tourism has recently surged in popularity. People are seeking genuine experiences that allow them to fully immerse themselves in the flavours of a location. Local culinary tourism serves as a pivotal contributor to sustainability in multiple ways:
- by aiding regional businesses
- inspiring the use of locally sourced ingredients and
- preserving time-honored food preparation techniques.
The support of local businesses is one of the most critical roles of culinary tourism in sustainability. As travellers dine on regional fare, they are boosting local restaurants, food producers, and farmers. This generates a sustainable local economy, provides employment and a source of income for the community, which helps preserve the local culture and lifestyle.
Seasonally and Locally Sourced
Promoting the use of locally sourced ingredients is another key function of local culinary tourism. The practice encourages seasonal, locally sourced products and reduces the carbon footprint related to transportation and storage. When tourists opt for local ingredients, they can endorse sustainable farming practices. This reduces the environmental impact of food production.
We introduce our guests to local brewers, bakers, makers and chefs on tour. Education and awareness of their options is a key component to our tours.
When guests are on tour on a day when there is a local farmer’s market we let them know. This encourages them to arrive prepared with a cooler to keep their purchases fresh while they explore the neighbourhood.
Preserving Culture through Culinary Choices
Preserving traditional food and cooking techniques is another vital aspect of local culinary tourism. Many destinations have unique culinary traditions that may be lost if not maintained and passed down to future generations. Travellers who champion local culinary customs can preserve these cultural treasures. This helps guarantee that they will survive for the next generation.
In addition to its contributions to sustainability, local culinary tourism provides several advantages to tourists themselves. By savouring the local cuisine, tourists can cultivate a deeper appreciation for the region’s culture and lifestyle. They can also develop an enhanced appreciation for the food they consume and those who produce it. This understanding of other cultures bridges the gap and can be a stepping stone in the pursuit of peace.
We introduce folks to the historical roots of the culinary scene on the Fort Langley tour to connect our guests to the rich agricultural scene.
In Surrey we send our guests to visit restaurants where the owners proudly share their place-of-birth cuisine to share with their customers. Recently Food and Wine chose Surrey as a top culinary city on a worldwide platform. Read the article here.
You Gotta Eat Here
Ultimately, local culinary tourism is a critical component of sustainability. Its support of local businesses, promotion of locally sourced ingredients, and preservation of traditional food and cooking techniques generate a more sustainable future. By experiencing the unique cuisine of a region, tourists can both help preserve the local culture and cultivate a greater understanding and appreciation for it. The urging, “you gotta eat here” takes on a whole new meaning!
Many of our guests visit from adjacent neighbourhoods which allows them to discover their own backyard and return as loyal customers seeking to source their food.
Carry On My Wayward Son
It was about February 2022 when we had a book club join us on tour. We were delighted by this big group of happy woman who had trekked through the village of Fort Langley on tour telling folks all about their day of exploring the town and tasting local and discovering new favourite places to go.
It wasn’t until we came home and looked at the photos that we had captured of the guests on tour that we saw something that was a bit jarring:
All seven women on tour were carrying multiple plastic bags!
It was after this event that we made the decision that we would provide a high quality tote bag to each and every guest for them to carry their goodies.
Experiential Gifting
How many gifts do you think end up in the back of the closet, the bottom of a drawer or even the landfill?
We have always been supporters of the concept of experiential gifting.This is a gift that doesn’t require wrapping. It involves spending time with the recipient. And it includes some sort of adventure.
With our culinary tours we offer you an option to give a gift to someone that will be remembered for years to come.
Sustainably-focused Culinary Tour Options
Three of our sustainable culinary tourism products are:
Our newest driving tour: FARM TO FORK Tasty Tour in Langley. Guests self-guide on our custom itinerary for a curated experience at multiple stops within a 15 km radius to taste and connect with local growers, producers and brewers. This opportunity to discover local is both delicious and a valuable resource for those who want to shop fresh and direct and support the local economy. Find out more here.
The second one is the With The Chef experience in Toronto. Chef Miheer Shete marries traditional Indian recipes with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients resulting in the most amazing flavours and harmony of two cultures. The With The Chef opportunity provides guests with a chance to learn about the journey of the chef, his culture and to support and connect with the community where you will find his restaurant. Find out more here.
Finally another one of our With The Chef experiences in Langley teaches guests about sustainability through plant-based eating. Chef Alysa Ferguson takes guest on a fun and easy to digest journey through the vegan world. She breaks it down into bite-sized morsels and serves it up with smiles and cocktails made with locally crafted spirits! Read more about it here.
