French fries, rich gravy and tangy cheese curds 鈥� can a Canadian treat get any better?
It can when local chefs get creative with the delicious base 鈥� and when the results help provide healthy meals for children in need.
Mealshare鈥檚 annual food fundraiser festival, Poutine With Purpose, continues through May 1 in : Victoria, Vancouver and Calgary.
Joining the trio this year, and sharing the Mealshare message in Central Canada, is Hamilton, Ont.
Why Poutine With Purpose? For every poutine sold at the participating restaurants during the annual event, a simple, healthy meal is provided to a local youth in need through Mealshare charity partners.
Chefs are challenged to dream up and dish up a feature poutine for the week 鈥� from the traditional, to the creative, to the unusual 鈥� it鈥檚 poutine with purpose.
For Calgary diners, choose from more than 40 options, ranging from a Short Rib Vindaloo Poutine from Bitter Sisters Brewery to Vegan Streets鈥� Vegan Carne Asada Portobello Poutine 鈥� crisp Kennebec potato fries, shredded vegan cheddar, savoury poutine gravy, asada-marinated portobello mushroom 鈥渟teak,鈥� grilled red cabbage, pico de gallo and chunky guacamole.
Greater Vancouver brings another nine selections, ranging from Patina Brewing鈥檚 famous Pulled Pork Poutine (pork smoked in-house for 10 hours, topped with smoked in-house garlic mayo and pickled veg), to the Wok Box in Surrey, Abbostford and New Westminister, where the Tokyo Beef Poutine boasts sweet teriyaki beef served over golden fries and drizzled with lime aioli.
In Victoria, the delicious possibilities include everything from Deadbeetz Burgers鈥� Classic Poutine 鈥� fries, gravy and cheese curds topped with peas 鈥� to Confit Duck Poutine from the Q Veranda at the Empress: rosemary-parm fries, squeaky cheese curds and duck gravy.
Since 2013, events in Victoria, Vancouver and Calgary have sold more than 35,000 poutines in support of Mealshare. That鈥檚 35,000 healthy meals for youth in need!
How does Poutine With Purpose work?
No tickets are necessary, just an appetite for delicious goodness.
- Explore the participating restaurants in your city at
- Select the poutine you鈥檇 like to try
- Dig in and enjoy, knowing you鈥檝e helped a local youth in need
Visit to learn more and take some home to enjoy!
Plan your future adventures throughout the West Coast at and follow us on and @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly !
