From Tourism BC

Vancouver Island Village Joins International Cittaslow Community

In the seaside town of Cowichan Bay on Vancouver Island, taking it slow is a way of life – a dedication to the local landscape that has garnered the quaint community worldwide praise. Recently heralded as the first Cittaslow (pronounced Cheetah-slow) member in North America, Cowichan Bay joins 120 towns in 16 countries committed to putting quality of life first; Cittaslow towns, founded in Italy in 1999 and rooted in the Slow Food movement, aim to improve the quality of life for their residents, support local specialties and cultural diversity while preserving their rural lifestyle. Seems a natural fit for the village of less than 3,000, situated 45 minutes north of Victoria, where acres of greenspace give way to small and medium-scale agricultural operations and wineries, all within traditional First Nations land. In simple terms, you won’t find fast food or big box boys in Cowichan Bay. And with a bounty of some of the province’s hottest chefs, growers, winemakers, artisans and the like settled within a community loyal to local produce and their producers, a Cittaslow designation seemed the next logical step. Assessed and certified under six potential areas of excellence, including environmental policy, encouragement of local food and artisanal products and businesses, and hospitality and friendliness, the village sored a whopping 93 per cent, one of the highest rankings of all towns to apply for the honour.

We are very proud to have become the first Cittaslow in Canada and in North America,” says Mara Jernigan, Chef of Fairburn Farm Culinary Retreat and Guesthouse and current President of Slow Food Canada. “It shows a genuine commitment towards the rural and environmental nature of the area and the local production of high quality artisanal and organic food.” www.cittaslow.net

To read more story ideas from the Vancouver Island region, visit www.hellobc.com/vancouverislandmedia.