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Kelowna Food Swap: A Glenmore Porch Tradition Blossoms into a Citywide Community Movement
- Boost BC
- Oct 15
- 2 min read
A simple act of sharing sparked a community
Some movements begin with speeches. This one began with a loaf of bread on a neighbour’s doorstep.
In Glenmore, Kelowna resident Rosemarie Stevenson would return home to find small surprises: peaches, tomatoes, cherries, zucchinis—gifts grown with care. In return, she’d leave one of her slow-fermented artisan sourdough loaves. Those porch-step exchanges carried more than food; they carried gratitude.
“My breads take two days to make, but a tomato has been nurtured for months—each holds its own kind of love and effort.” — Rosemarie Stevenson, Founder, Kelowna Food Swap
That quiet ritual of appreciation became the heart of the Kelowna Food Swap—a new, community-led way for neighbours to share abundance, connect across the city, and celebrate the craft behind every jar, loaf, bouquet, and basket.
How the Kelowna Food Swap works
Think of it as a friendly marketplace without money—just mutual appreciation.
Post what you have & what you seek. Garden veggies, backyard eggs, sourdough, jams, herbs, preserves, or handmade items.
Arrange a swap. Coordinate one-to-one trades now; group meetups are planned as the community grows.
No cash, no pressure. The value is in the care, time, and creativity that went into what you made or grew.
New here? Start simple. Bring something you’re proud of and be open to discovering new favourites from your neighbours.
What’s swapping right now?
Though the group is young, early swaps already show Kelowna’s creativity:
Homegrown produce (tomatoes, zucchinis, cherries, peaches)
Fresh eggs & culinary herbs
Sourdough and baked goods
Jams, jellies, pickled onions, and preserves
Rosemarie hopes to see even more inventive offerings: beeswax wraps and candles, kombucha starters, garden bouquets, ferments, and other handmade touches that tell a story.
Why it matters: social, environmental, economic wins
Social: Meet neighbours you haven’t met yet and strengthen community bonds from Glenmore to the wider Okanagan.
Environmental: Reduce food waste, shorten supply chains, and champion local, seasonal abundance.
Economic: Enjoy fresh, local goods without spending money—rooted in generosity over transactions.
Goals for the future
The immediate goal is growth: welcoming more Kelowna residents from every neighbourhood to build a vibrant, city-wide network. Looking ahead, Rosemarie imagines seasonal gatherings like a Summer Harvest Swap and Holiday Treat Exchange—festive events that celebrate the rhythm of the Okanagan seasons.
How to get involved
Gather your goods. Harvest from the garden, bake a batch, or craft something useful and beautiful.
Share what you have. Offer a clear description (ingredients, size, quantity) and any dietary notes.
Suggest a fair swap. Remember: value is about care and craft, not price tags.
Capture the moment. Take a quick photo of your item and your swap—images help grow the community.
Spread the word. Invite a neighbour in Glenmore, Rutland, the Mission, or beyond.
“It’s about celebrating community, sustainability, and the joy of sharing what we create.” — Rosemarie
To Rosemarie and every early participant: thank you for lighting the way. The Kelowna Food Swap is young—but already full of heart, flavour, and possibility.
If you’d like to join or support the next meetup, keep an eye on local community boards and social groups—just search “Kelowna Food Swap”—and invite a friend to trade something handmade or homegrown.]
