I love seeing how the Sunshine Coast community is rallying together as we all adjust to the new realities of life during Covid 19. 

Many small businesses here (and across the nation) are facing unprecedented challenges as they have had to close down or drastically shift operations. Depending on the sector, some businesses are able to adapt by operating online, doing deliveries or take-out, or completely shifting to making and selling new products and services to meet growing needs in other areas.

The Sunshine Coast has always been a collaborative, supportive community and during these tough times we need one another now, more than ever. I’ve compiled a list of ways you can support our local economy. 

#Prebuylocal

If your finances allow, I encourage you to support local in a new and creative way by “pre-buying” services. You could purchase gift certificates from your hair stylist, continue paying a membership fee to your favourite gym, or pre-purchase an art piece from a local artist. Every little bit helps entrepreneurs and businesses keep going during these uncertain times. You can also learn more about local businesses by visiting supportcoastal.com, which also links to a GoFundMe campaign designed to raise funds for local businesses. 

Purchase local products at the grocery store

There are many amazing items created here on The Coast, available in your local grocery store. Next time you’re doing your essentials shopping, pick up a product made or grown here in our community. Here are some great examples: 

• Ginger Jars uses grocery store food waste to make soups and sauces. They are still operating and are also offering support to anyone facing food insecurity. If you are in need of food, email them at change@gingerjars.ca
• Holy Crap cereal is made lovingly here on the Sunshine Coast.  

Ginger Jars

Tim and Stephanie and family of Drift Restaurant and Ginger Jars

Share on social media

If you hear about a local business that is getting creative right now, share their story on social media. The more people who become aware of how Sunshine Coast businesses are adapting, the more we can all come together to support. 

Buy from a local restaurant or producer

While all restaurants and bars have been asked to shutter their doors, many are getting creative, offering meal specials for take out and delivery. Here is a running list of eateries and craft beverage makers. These are just a few and the list is always growing. Please visit the Coast Culinary Collective website for up-to-date information.

CRAFT BEVERAGE PROVIDERS

• Tapworks Brewing Company is doing a drive-through beer pick-up as well as online ordering and delivery.
• Persephone Brewing Company is doing beer deliveries, as well as grocery pick-up in Gibsons
• One Foot Crow and Bruinwood Estate Distillery have started producing hand sanitizer 

Jeff Baringer and Danice Lofstrum of Bruinwood Distillery

FOOD PRODUCERS AND PROVISIONS

• The Gibsons Butcher is doing online and phone orders with no minimum or delivery fee
• Mama Musey’s Pierogi is offering free delivery for orders over $20
• Bricker Cider Company, Lone Wolf Provisions and Good Acre Market are teaming up for deliveries of bread, pastries, coffee, produce, and cider

Owners Adam and Shannon Vanderwood and Staff of The Gibsons Butcher

RESTAURANTS

• Lunitas Mexican Eatery is doing take-out, as well as home delivery of large orders for people who want to bulk order and heat up themselves 
• Smitty’s Oyster House is open for takeout Thursday to Sunday
• Gourmet Girl Cafe and Catering is doing delivery for orders $40 and above
• The Gumboot Restaurant is offering take-out 
• Buono Osteria is offering a ready-to-cook dinner for two and a bottle of Italian wine for $75+tax

Co-owner of Buono Osteria – Ryan Kingsberry

Life is certainly unpredictable at the moment, but together we can get through this. Hang in there Sunshine Coasters. We’ve got this!

What’s it like to live on one of Gibsons’ most iconic farms? I caught up with Chris Kelly, the co-owner of Pratt Farms, to learn more about this gorgeous property, which has just been put on the market (check out the listing).

Pratt Farm is located on a 9.75-acre parcel of land between Pratt Road and Mahan Road. The stunning property boasts two man-made lakes, two orchards, a six-bay workshop, stunning landscaping and a wide variety of produce and fruits.

The farm is a staple for many people in the Gibsons community, who stop by for a visit or to purchase fresh farm produce from the on-site market stand.

“The property is so visible and it’s in people’s consciousness,” Chris muses. “They drive by and they say: ‘Oh I was just thinking of you today as I was driving by your property.’”

So, how does one come into possession of such a gorgeous property in the first place?

Funny enough, when they first laid eyes on the property that would become Pratt Farm, it was more of a diamond in the rough versus the expansive, lush orchard we see today. It took expert eyes to see beyond the junkyard it was and craft a vision for its true potential. The pair put a lot of sweat equity into clearing and levelling the land and planting a variety of produce and fruit trees. It turns out that the southern light on the property and nutrient-rich soil at the base of the mountain yields perfect growing conditions—especially for apples.

Their dream was to not only have a small farm, but to turn it into a cidery too—hence the 500+ Heritage apple trees! Additionally, the orchards contain sought-after and rare Perry Pear and sour cherry trees for an extra pop of flavour.

Since 2013, they have tended to the land and connected with the community while doing so. Chris explains that they originally began selling product to help make use of the huge property. One of the advantages to this is that they gained farm status and were eligible for tax rebates and write-offs. Over the years, however, the pair (and their farm) have become woven into the fabric of the community.

Chris and his partner originally moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2012, having left the vibrant West End of Vancouver.

“What we didn’t have in the West End was community. There is so much community here. This is what I find over and over again,” says Chris. “People say they’ve won the lottery here because you have a great place and a pristine environment with mountains and oceans, but you also have this amazing community that cares for you, that supports you and looks out for you and vice versa. It’s just a really great way to age and evolve.”

Pratt Farm has built community in unexpected ways, like the time a local beekeeper approached them to house her bees on the land. Pratt Farm is now home to some 35 beehives during peak season, which is a win-win for pollinating crops and for bringing fresh, local honey to the Sunshine Coast

I asked Chris what surprised him most about the property:

“When I have guests come over, it is literally three minutes to walk to Starbucks. And yet, you’re in this secluded area. You’re in this area where there’s just trees all around you. You’ll never believe there’s three liquor stores five-minutes away (thank God) and you’ll never believe there’s a Starbucks. The whole town is literally at your doorstep and you’re not seeing any of it from where you are. It’s such a prime location.”

With its size, growing potential and the incredible groundwork that has already been laid on this property, there is plenty of opportunity to expand both the personal and commercial usages of this land.

“What I’ve learned about people on the coast is that people want to cobble together a life here. It’s not just one thing they want to focus on. They want to wear several hats,” says Chris. “This is really a great way to develop a life is to have not just one thing happening on the property, but several things. You could rent some space on it, you could do a Bed and Breakfast on it, you could do a U-Pick and have families come in and pick apples, you could open up a bakery and have all the ingredients for pie and jam. There are just so many different ways to cobble together a life here on Pratt Farm.”

With a versatile property like this, the sky ‘s the limit!

Interested in learning more about Pratt Farm? Contact me and let’s chat!