There are many people I’ve considered heroes in my life, people whose ideas, actions, or abilities stand out from the ordinary: Winnie the Pooh, Helen Keller, David Suzuki, and Georgia O’Keeffe. More recently: Michael Pollan, Mary Forstbauer, and Percy Schmeiser.

But this story isn’t about my heroes; it’s about your heroes.

Every year, the member publications of Edible Communities ask their readers to vote for the organizations and individuals who are champions of the local food scene, people whose efforts are taking us closer to sustainable systems that honour our planet as well as food quality, traditions, and flavours. You might remember being asked to vote for the food heroes of Metro Vancouver last autumn; big, heartfelt thanks to every one of you who took the time to vote. Here are the winners:

Farm/Farmer: UBC Farm

We weren’t surprised that UBC Farm won this category for the second time. It’s more than a unique parcel of land within Vancouver’s city limits; it’s a peaceful place of bees buzzing, hens laying, and birds twittering, a teaching facility where children, students, and adult gardeners go for inspiration. For years this oasis has been under the threat of development and we’ve applauded as citizens from all over BC demand its protection. Its value is beyond measure. 6182 South Campus Road, 604-822-5092. www.landfood.ubc.ca/ubcfarm

Chef/Restaurant: Andrea Carlson of Bishop’s

John Bishop’s restaurant has been a Vancouver favourite for almost 25 years and was one of the first to highlight farm-to-table cuisine. (Bishops’ relationship with Hazelmere Farms in Surrey is celebrated in the cookbook Fresh). Executive Chef Andrea Carlson continues the fine tradition of local, seasonal, and exceptional. 2183 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver. 604-738-2025. www.bishopsonline.com

Food Artisan: baker Tanya Belanger of A Bread Affair

Master baker Tanya Belanger’s ambition is to consistently create breads that are nothing short of perfect—and according to our readers, she’s hitting the mark. Each loaf is made by hand, in small batches, using high-quality Certified Organic flour and the products of local farms and organic orchards. You can find her breads at the main bakery in Langley, as well as many farmers’ markets and better grocery stores. 5568 206th Street, Langley. 604-514-2353. www.abreadaffair.com

Beverage Artisan: Ethical Bean Coffee

For the second consecutive year, Ethical Bean took this category by a landslide; there weren’t even any close contenders. The reasons they are so well-loved are numerous. They make great coffee and their corporate soul is exemplary. The beans are Certified Fair Trade, Certified Organic, shade-grown, and roasted in a carbon-neutral Vancouver facility. But beyond that, every year Ethical Bean donates proceeds from coffee sales to the charitable causes Kids to School and Project Somos, to improve the lives of kids and families in Guatemala. Find their beans at several retailers, and their café at 1315 Kootenay Street, Vancouver. 604-431-3830. www.ethicalbean.com

Non-profit Organization: Vancouver Farmers Markets

Back in 1995, Vancouver Farmers Markets began creating opportunities for urban eaters to connect with farmers and artisan producers, discover the joys of seasonal eating, and explore the flavours and textures of heirloom fruits and vegetables. They operate the Trout Lake Farmers Market, the West End Farmers Market, the Main Street Farmers Market, the Kitsilano Farmers Market, the Winter Market, and a Holiday Market each December. All are lively, bustling places to shop for real food and chat with like-minded souls. Bicycle delivery of purchases is available at some locations.
604-879-FARM. www.eatlocal.org

And here are your winners receiving their awards:

So, those are your heroes and I think you made fine choices. Now I’ll ask you to indulge me for a minute more. Although I said this wouldn’t be about my heroes, there are a few people very important to Edible Vancouver and it often strikes me as unfair that Publisher Phil Solman and I receive most of the accolades for this magazine. The truth is we are fortunate to have a team of generous, gifted, passionate, and food-obsessed people who deserve recognition. They are:

Bambi Edlund, Art Director. The multi-talented designer, photographer, illustrator and writer who is solely responsible for the look of these pages.

Then there’s Michelle Gourley, Assistant Editor. A trained chef and inspired writer, her vast food knowledge, charming disposition, and lively way with words have made her quite indispensable. She utterly “gets” what we are trying to do here and is a godsend.

Equally indispensable is Viktoria Cseh, Copyeditor, who patiently plays good cop to our wayward spellings, inconsistent punctuations, and outrageous liberties with the English language. We send her a tangled snarl of Word documents that she graciously grooms into a state of order.

And last, but by no means least, is Leeanne Munn, whose considerable talents in cooking, baking, food styling and photography regularly make our lives easier and our magazine more beautiful. See her other work at www.leeannemunn.com

Debbra Mikaelsen is extremely grateful for all the talented writers and photographers and who assist, inspire, and bolster her through each issue.