Kelowna Recognized as UNESCO’s City of Gastronomy

Advisory Committee December 4, 2025

Krista Mallory, COEDC Manager, introduced a pilot project supporting local food and beverage manufacturers, identified as a high-growth sector in the Okanagan Manufacturing Database. Of 760 companies scanned, 160 were producers, mostly small and eager to expand. At the same time, Accelerate Okanagan launched its Market Diversification program, funded by ETSI-BC, and identified applicants in the food and beverage sector ready to grow within Canada. Recognizing many firms weren’t prepared for large international events, the team focused on interprovincial opportunities and chose the Grocery Innovations Canada Tradeshow in Toronto.

Grocery Innovations Canada

Held October 28–29, it is the country’s largest B2B grocery tradeshow, attracting buyers like Costco and Sobeys. With support from Tourism Kelowna and Accelerate Okanagan, three Central Okanagan companies—Rad Jamz, Vitalis Extraction Technology, and Toncini Modern Italian—joined the booth. Each pursued distinct goals and all reported five to eight strong connections plus additional contacts, as well as gaining valuable exposure and insight into market expectations.

Lessons Learned and Next Steps

This pilot was a key step toward integrating similar efforts into the COEDC’s long-term strategy. We gained insights from other communities to strengthen branding at future shows. The team identified the need for export and market readiness support to help companies maximize growth before and after events. We are also exploring partnerships and regional initiatives to increase impact.

UNESCO Gastronomy Designation: A Global Spotlight

Lisanne Ballantyne from Tourism Kelowna and Lisa Corcoran from City of Kelowna presented on Kelowna’s recent designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. This recognition celebrates the Central Okanagan’s culinary culture and opens doors for international collaboration, food exchanges, and tourism growth. From an economic development perspective, the designation provides powerful third-party validation of the region’s strengths, positioning it as a global leader in food, wine, and gastronomy. It offers permission to lean into what makes the area unique and share those qualities internationally.

The designation was achieved through the efforts of four founding partners—City of Kelowna, Okanagan College, Tourism Kelowna, and Westbank First Nation. The partnership with Westbank First Nation underscores the deep cultural significance of the food ecosystem and the vital connection to the land, where Indigenous knowledge and traditions have shaped local gastronomy for generations.

Maintaining the designation requires a strong commitment. The region must develop a multi-year action plan rooted in sustainability, governance, and community engagement. The designation ripples across the entire ecosystem, creating indirect benefits for suppliers, citizens, and overall quality of life. Knowledge sharing and global collaboration will be key priorities.

Currently, the process is in its early stages. Governance structures are being established, and initial obligations are being addressed. A working group will be formed, starting with the founding partners, and Tourism Kelowna will host updates on its website. Community partners have expressed interest in participating, and a community advisory group may be created to ensure broad engagement. UNESCO requires reporting every 24 months, and as long as these requirements are met, Kelowna will retain this prestigious designation.

The COEDC Advisory Committee, a 45-member group of industry leaders, community shapers, and elected officials, meets monthly to share information, collaborate, and work together towards sustainable economic growth. For COEDC Advisory Committee meeting minutes click here.