Canada’s Food Island is adapting to support P.E.I.’s food industry and tourism operators during the global pandemic caused by COVID-19.
“Canada’s Food Island typically hosts the month-long P.E.I. Fall Flavours Festival and is rolling out a series of initiatives aimed at meeting the festival’s mandates,” says Mitch Cobb, chairman of Food Island Partnership. “Celebrity chefs, local food advocates and tourism operators will all be engaged to help celebrate P.E.I. food and encourage visitation to the Island this fall.”
Canada’s Food Island is launching a gift card program to encourage Islanders and visitors to buy and spend locally. This easy-to-use gift card supports businesses Islandwide. They will be sold to consumers at a 20 per cent discount during the program period at Mel's Convenience, Murphy's Pharmacy and Co-op locations in Souris, Alberton and O’Leary, with additional retail partners coming soon. For more information about Canada's Food Island Gift Card program, visit canadasfoodisland.ca.
P.E.I. food will also be in the social media spotlight thanks to the Fall Flavours’ Local Food Advocates. These local ambassadors of Canada’s Food Island will be dining out, highlighting staycations and taking in culinary adventures all while celebrating P.E.I. ingredients through social media platforms.
“It’s never been more important to support our Island’s food producers than it is right now. We’re looking forward to working with our many Fall Flavours and industry partners to continue celebrating and showcasing Canada’s Food Island in new and exciting ways."
- Mitch Cobb
“From ocean views to rolling hills, Prince Edward Island offers some 200 kilometres of joyful, memorable experiences you will want to repeat again and again,” said Mélanie Joly, federal minister of economic development and official languages and minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
“Our government is pleased to support the Food Island Partnership for its efforts to create a successful 2020 Fall Flavours Festival experience during these challenging times. Our message to P.E.I.’s tourism sector is clear: we’ve been here for you with immediate measures, we’re here for you now as our economy reopens and we’ll get through this, together. We’re working with you to support good, local jobs and help P.E.I. tourism come back strong.”
Foodies in Toronto are enjoying a taste of the Island when they purchase Canada’s Food Island Meal Kits: a P.E.I. Patio Party in a box featuring P.E.I. lobster, oysters, mussels, potatoes and beef along with chef-inspired menus created by the McEwan Group. Through this partnership, the McEwan Group has been selling kits since July. Kits are available until the end of September online and at its two Toronto locations.
“Now, more than ever before, we need innovative and creative solutions to continue promoting our province as Canada’s Food Island,” said Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture Minister Matthew MacKay. “I applaud Food Island Partnership for working hard to adapt to our current global circumstances so that the Fall Flavours Festival can proceed this year in a new way that continues to promote all the tourism products Prince Edward Island has to offer."
P.E.I.’s celebrity chef, Michael Smith, will also showcase the Island’s rich food scene in a series of videos presented by Sobeys. Viewers will be invited to follow along as he explores different regions of the Island, meets local characters and cooks up delicious dishes showcasing P.E.I. ingredients.
“It’s never been more important to support our Island’s food producers than it is right now. We’re looking forward to working with our many Fall Flavours and industry partners to continue celebrating and showcasing Canada’s Food Island in new and exciting ways,” said Cobb.
