Celebrate with Local Food and Gifts

SELFIE WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS DECEMBER 11

Robert Cerins is blessed with a beard that needs to be Father Christmas! No matter the time of year when children see Robert’s bearded face they know he is Father Christmas! So Robert is celebrating the Season of Giving! Come to Fuller Lake Park! Feel the Holiday spirit! Bring your camera and take a free Selfie with Father Christmas! Hot Chocolate & Homemade Cookies by Donation. Blessings & Happy Holidays! December 11, Fuller Lake Park 12-4pm 9279 Poplar Road, Chemainus

CELEBRATE WITH LOCAL FOODS + GIFTS

By Tamra Nash and Laura BoydClowes

It’s December and Cow-op is in full swing for the holidays! What better way to embrace the joys of the season and the spirit of giving than by supporting the local farmers, fishers and small businesses of the Cowichan Valley? It is these people that make our community so vibrant and bright. We at Cow-op are fortunate to have access to the best locally grown fruits and vegetables, sustainably caught and grown local meats, and a vast array of hand-crafted artisanal products. Allow us to help you choose a thoughtful gift for the loved ones in your life!

The Host: Instead of imported flowers, get them a beautiful bundle of fresh, locally grown eucalyptus. The uplifting smell lasts for weeks, and the unique blue-green colour of eucalyptus foliage is centrepiece-worthy. Add a few small tins of different Westholme Teas, and a box of handmade chocolates from Folklore Chocolates to sweeten the gesture.

Plant Lover and Green Thumb: Botanacine’s bottles of Cedar or Fir essential oil are made in small batches from locally foraged botanicals, and will lend that Yuletide smell to any room. Kin Park Youth Urban Farm’s Native Seed Bombs or locally adapted seeds from the Cowichan Green Community Farm and Food Hub are perfect stocking stuffers for the plant lover. Serious gardeners will appreciate an excuse to soak those hand-working hands with handcrafted bar soaps and bath bombs from Sarah’s Soaps

Pet Parent: Pathfinder Dog Adventure’s Paw Wax Salve is thoughtfully made from local herbs and beeswax to help protect a furry friend’s paws from salty winter sidewalks. Also pup-approved is their dehydrated treats made from organ meats of cows, chickens and turkeys, all sourced from local farms!

When it comes to cooking a festive meal, we recommend sourcing local and indigenous foods to celebrate this season, especially seafood and fish from our sustainable small fishery suppliers at Michelle Rose Community Supported Fishery, River Select Fisheries Co-operative and The Fishery, plus winter squash and potatoes for roasting, brassicas for vegetable dishes (which will be all the sweeter, thanks to the cold temperatures!), fresh True Grain Bread, and don’t forget the coffee!

This season we are joyful and we extend so much gratitude to our community, our farmers, fishers and food producers, and this beautiful valley that we call home.

www.cow-op.ca

Find us at the Duncan Farmer’s Market on Saturdays!

Charcuterie, Grazing Boxes and Entertaining Ideas www.picklespantry.ca I 250-266-2464 250-266-2464