Image Credit: Kamloops Food Policy Council

By Becky Blixrud-Dufour

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: BC bites and holiday delights — the gift that keeps on giving

Oct 18, 2025 | 6:00 AM

ONE OF THE BEST gifts received in our home last year was the Kamloops Holiday Foodie Box, created by The Stir and the Kamloops Food Policy Council (KFPC) — and I’m thrilled that the KFPC is offering this unique gift option once again! Last year, the first Foodie Box item to disappear in our home was the Authentic Indigenous Seafood Candied Sockeye Salmon and this year’s box is again full of delicious-sounding creations I can’t wait to try.

What is the Kamloops Holiday Foodie Box?

Our 2025 Kamloops Holiday Foodie Box is a curated selection of shelf-stable goods and local products from the Kamloops Region. Every year, there are new and repeat contributors, which is a great way to try out new products or support businesses you perhaps haven’t had the opportunity to in the past.

Check out the BC Bites and Holiday Delights in this year’s box:

SpiceCraft Foods: Caesar Mix

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Monte Creek Winery: Gift Card and Tasting Voucher

Amplified Coffee: Coffee Beans

Pickle and Sprout: Lebanese Rice Kit

Good Little Tea Company: Loose Leaf Tea

LogJam Coffee: Coffee Beans

Authentic Indigenous Seafood: Candied Sockeye Salmon

The Stir/GAP: Local Dried fruit mix

Brynns Bakery: Sourdough Bread Voucher

Rein Goods: Handmade Bracelet

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: Chocolates

Yvonne Riddick Art: Artisan Cards

The Gathering Place: Spice Mixes

Rad Jamz: Preserves

Who normally buys the Foodie Boxes? People like you and me! Last year, I bought and gifted the Food Box to my husband, who is tricky to buy for and is huge on supporting local businesses. My extended family often skips large gifts and focuses on stocking stuffers, so this year the Foodie Box items will be perfect to divide up as small — but high-value — gifts to those family members I think will appreciate each item the most. The items have a high-end, hand-crafted feel that I know my family will appreciate.

(Don’t tell the rest of the family, but the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory goodies and the LogJam coffee are headed straight into my own stocking. Those sound way too good to share.)

It’s also a great gift to have on hand for last-minute needed gifts. Bonus — it’s already wrapped beautifully so it saves you an extra step!

In previous years, numerous Kamloops companies have purchased them to give as client or staff gifts, which is a great way for local businesses to support other local entrepreneurs and keep our dollars circulating in our own community. Do you usually buy your staff gifts and want to give them something meaningful, personal and cozy that’s not just a pre-made commercial gift basket or GC? The Foodie Box is the perfect idea. Are you a local business with out-of-town clients? The Foodie Box is an excellent way to show off our incredible Kamloops entrepreneurs and gift something no one else will be buying them this year.

Why Consider the 2025 Kamloops Holiday Foodie Box?

Support The Stir: Do you know The Stir is a business incubator for food entrepreneurs? Buying a Foodie Box directly supports the work of the KFPC staff and the exceptional facility that is The Stir. The Stir is a commercial kitchen, food storage and event space available for rent, accompanied by business coaching helping our local food entrepreneurs thrive.

Support the Local Businesses: With all the economic upheavals, tariffs and shrinking margins, now is the time to vote with our wallets and strengthen our local food system via purchasing locally-crafted food products. If we want locally grown, Kamloops-crafted food product options to expand, we need to support the business owners we currently have at our disposal. The stronger these local food businesses, the more employees they can hire, which means more people can thrive in Kamloops. Many of the businesses featured are Indigenous-, female- or family-owned. The Food Box supports a wide variety of entrepreneurs at once, which is a huge bonus for someone like me that wants to spread the local-spending love around!

Environmentally: These products are made and packaged right in our community, allowing for a very short producer-to-consumer chain. At the KFPC, we love short supply chains — it means that there are fewer middlemen and no shipping from afar — which all equals keeping the carbon footprint low. The wrapping is intentionally chosen to utilize as much recyclable materials as possible. I chose to reuse our Food Box wrapping last year, which was a personal highlight for me.

Unique, Easy-to-Gift: You’re not going to find these gifts in many shops and definitely not in the big online stores. It’s gorgeously wrapped, plus the items are shelf-stable so it is a versatile gift to receive and use.

Where Can I Order and Receive my Foodie Box?

Here’s the link to order: https://openfoodnetwork.ca/thestir/shop

Pick up days are Wednesday, December 10 or Saturday, December 13 at The Stir (185 Royal Ave, Kamloops) OR for $10 you can have your Foodie Box(es) delivered to you on Monday, December 15.

If you have any questions or specific ordering instructions, you can comment on the online order form or email info@kamloopsfoodpolicycouncil.com.

Let’s make 2025 the year that our community truly supports locals with the ultimate gift that keeps on giving.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.