2007 - 2nd Annual Organic Okanagan Festival

Kelowna - The results are in. The Okanagan Greens’ 2nd Annual fall festival event at Summerhill Winery was a resounding success!

Thirty Okanagan businesses participated in the 2nd Annual Organic Okanagan Festival, held at Kelowna’s certified organic vineyard, Summerhill Winery. Over 300 people attended the daylong festival, and $2 600 was raised for continuing the Okanagan Greens Local Foods for Local People community outreach. As well Kelowna food bank donations were collected at the door and $650 in food items were donated.

The Okanagan Greens was formed by local members of the Green Party to work with people in the community, in a non-political way, to support and promote the ideas, projects, business and organizations that share their values.

With the monies raised from the1st Organic Okanagan Festival in 2006 the Okanagan Greens coordinated the following community activities in 2006/2007:

  • The purchase & distribution of the Ban Terminator Seed postcard campaign; in conjunction with Nature’s Fare and Natural Rezources.
  • The key sponsor and organizer of the mandatory GE food labeling “Food Warning” event with Greenpeace in Kelowna.
  • Launching the pilot project of the Local Food for Local Schools program; coordinating seed donation & worm castings to a class at Rutland Elementary School for their plot in the Hartman Community Garden as well as coordinating & sponsoring Rose Valley Elementary School’s Kindergarten tour of Sunshine Farms including seeds for all children and handouts on organic gardening.
  • Gift sponsor for the UBCO World Community Film Festival, featuring several future of food films.


The Okanagan Greens wishes to thank the Okanagan community, generous sponsors Summerhill Winery, Nature’s Fare and Off-centre Magazine and all the participating businesses for their support. “This event continues to demonstrate that the people living in the Okanagan Valley want greener choices that are healthier for their families, the environment and the local economy”, says Wendy Wright, a founding member of the group.

Stay tuned for information on the Okanagan Greens local food outreach for 2007/2008 and plans for the 3rd Annual festival to be held in September 2008.