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Saanich samples the best of local food at PepperBԪַs Foods showcase.

Tenth annual showcase celebrates local food producers and vendors
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Cory Davits, general manager of PepperBԪַs Foods, and Scott Zaichkowsky, head of PepperBԪַs grocery department, show off salmon sliders available during the 10th annual Local Island Showcase organized by PepperBԪַs Foods. (Wolf Depner/BԪַ Staff)

Hundreds, if not thousands, sampled and noshed the offerings of more that 40 local food producers during the 10th annual Local Island Showcase organized by PepperBԪַs Foods.

Held outside the store between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the event showcased PepperBԪַs local suppliers.

Scott Zaichkowsky, head of PepperBԪַs grocery department, still remembers the first showcase. While 25 vendors participated back in 2009, this yearBԪַs event drew 45. Of those, 20 had participated in the first showcase. For Zaichkowsky, it is a sign of loyalty on behalf of vendors, but also sign that customers want locally grown food, when vendors more than happy to respond. BԪַCustomers come here to show local stuff, and this is the perfect event to showcase that,BԪַ he said.

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The growth of the event is not just evident in the number of vendors. Zaichkowsky estimates some 400 people attended the first showcase. BԪַLast year, we are anywhere between 800 and 1,000, and this year, I pretty much guarantee we will well surpass that [figure].BԪַ

This growth has coincided with changes in the attitudes of people towards food. BԪַPeople have an appreciation for local businesses,BԪַ said Zaichkowsky. BԪַWhen customers come here, they donBԪַt always look for the big brand name, because it is popular or cheaper. They donBԪַt mind spending the extra money to get better quality and something that it is produced locally, and a vendor that they are trying to help along the way. All of the vendors are good, perfect examples of that.BԪַ Ultimately, you get what you pay for, said Zaichkowsky.

This commitment towards the local also accounts for PepperBԪַs decision to feature the product of The Little Stand, a popular roadside jam stand in Saanich that shut down following a bylaw violation.

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Katherine Little, along with her husband, were among the vendors participating in ThursdayBԪַs showcase, which they used to introduce new product. Little said the customersBԪַ response has been outstanding.

BԪַThis has been an absolutely amazing community event, and we are really happy to be part of it,BԪַ she said.


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wolfgang.depner@saanichnews.com



Wolf Depner

About the Author: Wolf Depner

I joined the national team with Black Press Media in 2023 from the Peninsula BԪַ Review, where I had reported on Vancouver Island's Saanich Peninsula since 2019.
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