Refire Kitchen Launches at Old Farm Market, Serving Cowichan Valley

Refire Kitchen has officially opened its latest location at the Old Farm Market in Cowichan Valley, providing customers with convenient, freshly prepared meals. This meal service, which focuses on “heat-and-eat” options, allows patrons to easily reheat or bake dishes such as soups, stews, shepherd’s pie, and ribs. The grand opening took place on January 10, 2024, at the market located at 5164 Francis St., just south of Duncan.

According to Chris Steel, general manager of Old Farm Market, the decision to introduce Refire Kitchen stemmed from a desire to offer nutritious meals that are both tasty and affordable. Steel expressed that most grocery store meal options often lack excitement. He stated, “We decided we wanted to work with chefs to have nice meals that people can get excited about.”

With the rising cost of meal delivery services, which can average around $30, and the expense of purchasing ingredients for home-cooked meals, Steel highlighted how Refire Kitchen addresses these challenges. “These meals provide good and nutritious options at a reasonable price,” he added. The meals are crafted by local chefs, ensuring quality and flavor.

The success of Refire Kitchen’s initial offering in Victoria prompted the expansion to Cowichan Valley. Steel noted, “We brought Refire Kitchen into our Victoria store in September, and due to high demand, we decided to bring the service here as well.”

New Sporting Goods Store to Open in Lake Cowichan

In another development, LC Sports is set to open a new location in Lake Cowichan in early February 2024. The store will be situated at 87A South Shore Rd. and will be owned and operated by Jason Fothergill. LC Sports aims to provide a variety of sporting goods, including skate sharpening services, hockey and baseball equipment, and apparel.

Fothergill, who has strong family ties to Lake Cowichan and has lived there for nearly three years, expressed his commitment to serving the community. He has been actively involved in local minor hockey and baseball programs, and noted the community’s need for accessible sports equipment. “It was always in the back of my mind to open up something to serve the community,” he said. “We look forward to providing a store that will give back to our community and provide sporting options for youth and adults alike.”

Community Fundraising Events Achieve Record Success

The Cowichan Valley community recently demonstrated remarkable generosity through two major fundraising events. The 17th annual “Stuff the Truck” event organized by 89.7 Sun FM took place from December 1-5, achieving a record-breaking total of 690 pallets of food donations, surpassing the previous record of 634 pallets set in 2024. The initiative raises food and funds for local food banks during the Christmas season.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Sun FM expressed gratitude for the community’s spirit, highlighting significant contributions, including 70 pallets from Island Ford Superstore, 64 pallets from Ellis Don, and donations from local organizations and individuals. “There are no words for how blown away we are by our community’s giving nature,” the post read.

Additionally, the Cram the Cruiser event, organized by the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP, also saw substantial community participation. Held on December 6 at Canadian Tire, the event filled a police cruiser with toy donations and raised over $2,100 in cash and gift cards. The Cowichan Valley Basket Society reported that the donations benefited over 600 families registered for Christmas hampers.

Enhancements to HandyDART Service in Cowichan Valley

Transit users in the Cowichan Valley can expect improvements in the handyDART service, which caters to individuals unable to use standard fixed-route transit. BC Transit has partnered with Vancouver-based Spare to implement new technology aimed at enhancing customer experience. The project, valued at $6 million, will introduce the Custom Transit Solution, which is expected to reduce wait times for ride bookings and improve communication regarding bus arrivals.

BC Transit emphasized that the project was developed after extensive consultations with customers, transit operators, and accessibility experts. Following the selection of a vendor, BC Transit will collaborate with local government partners to establish a rollout strategy. Updates will be provided to customers as more information becomes available.