New Biosphere Member: Olive Us Oils & Vinegar Tasting Room
Since opening their doors in 2013, Olive Us Oils & Vinegar Tasting Room has operated on a triple bottom line model of People, Planet, and Profit. This has designed their stores and products to match the same ethos. Olive Us sees the Biosphere Commitment Program as an opportunity to take their environmental efforts to the next level and join a community of likeminded Okanagan businesses who are passionate about sustainable tourism. Beyond the steps they’ve already taken, like collecting and washing thousands of Olive Us bottles for reuse, they are excited to get started on the 17 United Nation Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, they are looking forward to learning how to exemplify the 7 Affirmations for 7 Generations Regional Pledge.
“Sustainability means living in ways that support the environment, our community, and ourselves. At Olive Us we believe that encompasses treating our team with respect and compassion, doing business with integrity, delivering excellent customers service, and finding ways we can be gentler to the earth. The foundation of our tasting rooms is just that - tasting! We use compostable tasting cups and spoons to lighten our footprint. To support our community we sell local, artisan products that support growers and makers around BC, and we donate thousands of dollar of product per year in silent auctions and giveaways to causes that spark our hearts. Most of all, we love to have fun in our stores, share delicious food, and create memories. We will even encourage you to “Go ahead… play with your food!”
- Janet Cody & Bailey Morin, Olive Us Oils & Vinegar Tasting Room
At their tasting rooms in Vernon, Lake Country, and Salmon Arm, Olive Us features high-quality extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and an array of gourmet eats. They source responsibly, delivering the freshest olive oils possible, from growers who value the land they farm. To build their beautiful tasting rooms they repurposed materials destined for the landfill, installed LED lighting, and invested in a bottle washing system to rescue their used bottles from recycling. They are excited to take on new challenges and expand their sustainable efforts!
