Prince George's Foodie Friday program was recently recognized at the B.C. Economic Development Awards for best community project.
The award acknowledges a community or regional partnership that works together with ongoing economic development work and activities.
Foodie Friday is a weekly summer lunch event held on the front lawn of city hall near Veterans Plaza which offers community members access to local food truck vendors and restauranteurs.
The program was introduced in August 2016 and ran each Friday for eight weeks.
Each Foodie Friday brought about 100 to 350 people to the downtown area.
"The city was responding to a call we were hearing from local downtown businesses to increase traffic to the area and maintain the sense of excitement and community we experienced during the Canada Winter Games," said Melissa Barcellos, manager of economic development.
"We wanted to create a way businesses could raise awareness of their brands, increase sales and serve a clientele they normally would not be able to access, particularly the thousands of people who work downtown."
This year, the city has waived all permit fees for vendors, is providing free electricity hook-ups, organized musical events and music infrastructure, is offering adequate seating with park bench relocation and has agreed to free online and radio business promotions.
"I think Foodie Friday is a great idea and I would encourage other businesses to come and participate in order to increase the foot traffic and the festive atmosphere, which will benefit all of our businesses," said chef Ryan Cyre of the White Goose Bistro, whose food truck, the Gosling, has been a regular at the summer event.
"Our workers love it and residents love it.
"It's a great way for our business to help revitalize downtown, make use of the fantastic space in front of city hall and be even more of a part of the Prince George community."
The B.C. Economic Development awards are held annually to recognize B.C.'s best economic development programs, partnerships and marketing initiatives.
The awards were held Monday in Victoria.
