Pears past their prime, ugly lemons and bits scraped from a freshly baked tray of almond croissants all contribute to the unexpected flavours at 49 Below Craft Ice Cream.
TheyB次元官网网址檙e also part of key connections in the business community that aims to reduce food waste.
The Oak Bay business launched its upcycled ice cream initiative last fall, deriving interesting flavours while keeping the tasty bits from the popular almond croissants at GoodSide Pastry House out of the trash. The program started with bruised and damaged fruit from Root Cellar making its way from the market to the ice cream kitchen, 49 Below owner Dan Edler explained.
READ ALSO:
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 kind of fun because it keeps us on our toes because we never know what weB次元官网网址檙e going to get,B次元官网网址� he said.
It raises the stakes for the chef team and spurred some fun combinations, such as the popular lemon graham bar where the team hand-zested and squeezed 100 pounds of lemons. That one was popular enough people still ask for it and the follow-up pear chai crumble, made with Silk Road Tea.
ItB次元官网网址檚 among the initiatives that put 49 Below in the pack of 18 selected from hundreds of nominees as a finalist for the business impact award in the annual Small Business BC Awards.
A small team that comes up with amazing ideas, upcycling is just one example of the cooperative projects that set them apart, Edler said.
READ ALSO:
For example, the philanthropint introduced a couple years ago, in which the minds behind 49 Below partner with individuals and businesses who come up with a flavour. The team concocts the flavour, sells it and donates all proceeds to the charity of the individualB次元官网网址檚 choice.
Last year, Edler worked with Willows elementary student Jackson Edgley to create Ocean Explosion and raise money for environmental stewardship in the Salish Sea.
In other community initiatives, they recently embarked on a pint drive to raise funds with the Reynolds Reybots B次元官网网址� a Saanich secondary school robotics team heading to Texas for competition this month. During a drive, patrons can use a code found online or in store and use it for 10 per cent off pints (up to four) and the business matches funds for the team.
All recyclables with a deposit go to the Oak Bay High Alumni Association for the campaign to resurface the schoolB次元官网网址檚 Jack Wallace Memorial Track.
READ ALSO:
Residents have also welcomed the boutique ice cream business to the neighbourhood. 49 Below opened its Willows Plaza kitchen and storefront in August 2022, just in time for the lingering wet weather to clear and actual summer to begin. Now, people are automatically making the connection and when the thermostat rises, so does the walk-in traffic.
The business impact award honours businesses that use aptitude in areas like sales, marketing, logistics, finances and operations toward positive action in their community.
Other finalists for the business impact award include: Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours in Campbell River; The CrowB次元官网网址檚 Nest Artist Collective in Campbell River; The Speckled Sow Butchery and Market Ltd. in Vanderhoof; and Wall to Wall-Renovate, Recycle, Restore in Prince George.
Winners will be announced at an awards gala June 2 and winners of each category receive a $10,000 prize.
christine.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca
christine.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca
Like us on and follow us on .
