Now more than ever, it’s important to show our support for local businesses. This summer we featured local food businesses in communities across BC and showcased locally made dairy products like cheese, milk, ice cream and much more. To help spread the word, we announced prize giveaways on Instagram every week from June 18 to August 12, 2020.
To further support our local communities, BC dairy farmers pledged to also donate $1 for every contest entry to Food Banks BC up to $20,000 (inclusive of the entire campaign). With a total of over 32,000 entries received, BC dairy farmers are proud to have reached this goal to support families across BC.
Featured Businesses
JJ Bean Coffee Roasters (Aug 6 – 12)
About
Since 1996 this family-owned and operated small-batch coffee roaster has opened 21 cafes in Vancouver. In JJ Bean’s cafes, you’ll find everything from lattes, croissants to house-made sandwiches and wraps.
Giveaway – now closed
BC residents can enter for a chance to win 1 of 60 $25 gift cards to JJ Bean Coffee Roasters. Learn more.
QB Gelato & Cafe (Aug 4 – 10)
About
Located in Kelowna, QB Gelato & Cafe is owned by Okanagan Couple, Kevin Bojda and Victor Laderoute. Since opening in 2017, Kevin and Victor have been focused on integrating fresh, local ingredients across all of their menu offerings. From gelato, made-from-scratch desserts, bakery treats and easy-meals-to-go there’s something for everyone.
Giveaway – now closed
BC residents can enter for a chance to win 1 one-pint ice cream or gelato a week for a year! In addition, contest entrants will have a chance to win 1 of 30 $50 gift cards from QB Gelato & Cafe. Learn more.
Jam Cafe (July 30 – Aug 5)
About
Jam Cafe was created by a couple of local entrepreneurs in 2012 as a Southern breakfast style diner. The inspiration came from visiting numerous locations throughout North America and bringing the best of what they had experienced to Victoria. Jam’s first location was on Herald Street in downtown Victoria, and they have recently opened two other locations in Vancouver – one near Gastown and the other in Kitsilano. Their feature dishes include Pulled Pork Pancakes, Huevos Rancheros, and in-house made buttermilk biscuits.
Giveaway – now closed
BC residents can enter for a chance to win 1 of 30 $50 gift cards to Jam Cafe. Learn more.
Dolce Amore (July 28 – Aug 3)
About
Located in the heart of Little Italy in East Vancouver, Dolce Amoré is owned by the husband and wife duo, Daniela and Giancarlo Cusano. The couple graduated from the prestigious Carpigiani Gelato University in Italy before opening Dolce Amore in 2002. From traditional Italian classics like Pistachio and Nocciola (Roasted Hazelnut), to seasonally inspired flavours like Blueberry Honey, there is plenty of variety for gelato-lovers at Dolce Amore.
Giveaway – now closed
Lower Mainland residents can enter for a chance to win 1 of 20 prize packs (est. value of $75). Each prize pack includes a four-pack of ice cream pints and a $25 gift certificate to Dolce Amore. Learn more.
Haltwhistle Cheese Co. (July 23 – 29)
About
Vancouver Island’s Haltwhistle Cheese Company offers an array of unique and delicious fine cheeses, hand crafted in the Cowichan Valley. Haltwhistle’s founders and couple, Cory Spencer and Kirsten Thorarinson began making cheese six years ago, and currently produce a wide variety of delicious cow’s milk cheeses. Haltwhistle’s cheeses are inspired by old world varieties the couple came across while working with cheesemakers in France and the United Kingdom.
Giveaway – now closed
Residents of Greater Vancouver and Vancouver Island can enter for a chance to win 1 of 30 cheese prize packs from Haltwhistle Cheese (a $50 value). Each prize pack contains 4 delectable flavours including: Nailsea (mild gouda), Thombury (French alpine cheese), Abergavenny (soft, mild blue cheese) and fresh curds (traditional cheddar). Learn more.
Cheese on Wheels (July 21 – 27)
About
David Beaudoin and Mayla Janzen started Cheese on Wheels to bring awareness to the endless possibilities of BC products and bring cheese directly to your door. Come meet David and Mayla in Lake Country or order from Cheese on Wheels to get delicious BC products delivered.
Giveaway – now closed
Enter for a chance to win a cheese prize pack (est. value of $80). You’ll also receive a selection of accompaniments that have been bundled up in a reusable cooler bag that’s picnic-ready. Each cheese prize pack includes: Double Cream Camembert from Poplar Grove, Heidi from Farmhouse Cheese, Jersey Blue from Golden Ears Cheesecrafters, Smoked Boerenkaas from Natural Pastures, and Nostrala from Kootenay Meadows. Learn more.
*Contest was open to residents of West Kelowna, Kelowna, Lake Country, Vernon, Armstrong, Coldstream, and Lavington only
Birchwood Dairy Farms (July 16 – 22)
About
Since 1968, Birchwood Dairy Farm in Abbotsford, BC has been family-owned and operated. Birchwood produces everything from fresh cream, yogurts, cheese, and even homemade egg nog. In addition to their fully equipped processing plant and country store, you’ll also find the ice cream parlour with over 50 different flavours to choose from.
Giveaway – now closed
Lower Mainland residents can enter for a chance to win 1 of 20 dairy prize packs (est. value of $70). Each prize pack includes an epic dairy selection of black raspberry ice cream, greek vanilla yogurt, and a bottle each of 2% milk and 10% cream plus a $50 gift card. Learn more.
Parlour Ice Cream (July 14 – 20)
About
Parlour Ice Cream in Kelowna, BC is home to handcrafted premium ice cream made with local ingredients and unique flavour profiles. With a focus on local, supporting Okanagan owned orchards, farms, bakeries and the like, Parlour is proud that when visitors seek to enjoy their ice cream that they’re helping to support a community around them. From flavours like lavender to birthday cake, not to mention their house-made waffle cones, there’s something for everyone.
Giveaway – now closed
Residents of the Central Okanagan can enter for a chance to win 1 of 25 ice cream prize packs (est. value of $55). Each prize pack includes 3 pints of ice cream and a $25 gift card. Learn more.
Tree Island Yogurt (July 9 – 15)
About
Tree Island Yogurt crafts some of the freshest, most gourmet yogurt you can get on Vancouver Island’s Comox Valley. There are a variety of unique and delightful flavours like Okanagan Peach and Coconut Lime. Tree Island yogurt is handcrafted with 100% whole milk from grass fed dairies in small batches using a traditional, slow-kettle cooking method.
Giveaway – now closed
Residents of Victoria and Courtenay on Vancouver Island can enter for a chance to win 1 of 20 prize packs (a $80 value). Each prize pack is filled with everything you need for a perfect breakfast parfait and includes: 3 flavours of yogurt, 1 bag of artisan granola, a Tree Island apron and a pottery breakfast bowl. Learn more.
The Farm House Natural Cheeses (July 7 – 13, 2020)
About
The Farm House Natural Cheeses in Aggasiz, BC produces beautiful handmade artisan cheeses, milk, yogurt, and butter from milk produced right on the farm. You can also visit The Farm House in person at 5634 McCallum Road, Agassiz, BC. Currently open Monday – Saturday from 10am – 4pm. Can’t wait? Their cheese and milk products are also available for purchase at various stores, restaurants, and farmer’s markets around BC and beyond.
Giveaway – now closed
Lower Mainland residents can enter for a chance to win 1 of 20 prize packs of hand-crafted cheeses (a $80 value). Each prize pack includes an epic cheese selection featuring Heidi, Fermiere, Aged Traditional Cloth-bound Cheddar, Cheddar Curds, Farm House Gouda, Baby Brie, and Country Blue. Learn more.
Parachute Ice Cream (July 2- July 8, 2020)
About
Parachute Ice Cream was started in 2016 by two local entrepreneurs in Victoria, BC. Their vision was to make good quality, delicious ice cream, while making a positive contribution to their community. Parachute offers local small batch ice cream in pints, scoops, cakes, ice cream cakes, milkshakes and ice cream floats. They serve up cool classics, as well as unique flavours like rhubarb crumble and lavender truffle, and they serve them in their house-made waffle cones.
Giveaway – now closed
Victoria residents can enter to win 1 of 20 prize packs ($80 value). Each prize includes an ice cream cake, two pints of your choosing, and a $20 gift card. Learn more.
D Dutchmen Dairy (June 30- July 6)
About
For over 40 years, the Dewitt family has owned and operated this local favourite, and popular stop for tourists travelling through Sicamous. With 62 different flavours of ice cream, and a delicious variety of artisan cheese, it’s easy to understand why! For the full D Dutchmen Dairy experience, visit with the farm and store located in Sicamous at 1321 Maier Road. Opening hours: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm every day of the week.
Giveaway – now closed
Enter to win 1 of 10 prize packs (est. value of $150 each). Each prize includes an assortment of 22 D Dutchmen Dairy products, including milk, cheese, ice cream, and more! Learn more.
Rocky Point Ice Cream (June 25 – July 1)
About
Ice cream aficionados in Metro Vancouver know where to track down the best spots for small-batch treats. With a flagship location on Murray Street in Port Moody and a new location on Sixth Avenue in New Westminster, Rocky Point Ice Cream is one of those places. Today, the Cuthberts continue to handcraft ice cream with love at both stores, and they distribute it via their three roving ice cream trucks: Scooper, Rocky, and Hitch. More than 90% of the ingredients used in the whimsical flavours available at Rocky Point Ice Cream are sourced locally.
Giveaway – now closed
Enter to win 1 of 15 prize packs (est. at $100 each). Each prize pack includes: a nine-inch layered ice cream cake in one of four flavours and a $50 gift certificate. Learn more.
Upper Bench Winery & Creamery (June 23 -29)
About
The classic pairing of cheese and wine reaches the height of perfection in the expert hands of Shanna and Gavin Miller at Upper Bench winery and creamery. Their BC-made cheese is handcrafted on-site using 100% pasteurized Canadian cow’s milk from D Dutchmen Dairy in Sicamous, British Columbia, Canada.
Giveaway – now closed
Enter for a chance to win 1 of 20 Upper Bench baskets filled with delicious BC cheese (a $80 value). The prize basket contains four kinds of handcrafted cheese, including King Cole Blue, Double Cream Brie, Okanagan Sun and their newest addition, Belper Knolle. You’ll also get a box of Raincoast Crisp Crackers, a Box of Gone Crackers and a recipe card too. Learn more.
Natural Pastures Cheese Company (June 18 – 24)
About