My name is Trisha Shanks. I am a Calgary transplant, having lived here in Nakusp for almost 3 years. I had spent a few holidays in the area after purchasing a puppy from Til Niquidet in 2008. We became friends and I came back to visit with my dogs, getting a feel for the area and being charmed by the idea of small town living. I quickly got tired of the rat race in the city and it was either Nakusp or back to the Maritimes, where I grew up... Nakusp won!
Some of you may recognize me from the front desk or the liquor store at the Kuskanax Hotel but that ended in November 2012. I took a little while to figure out what my next step would be and I've decided on a mash-up...
Toller puppies and Organic produce!
I breed CKC registered Nova Scotia Duck Tollers as well as the new guardian of our refurbished Vegibox program. When Gillian Redwood moved away from Nakusp, she deeded the bones of the vegibox to me, and I failed to get it going last year. Both businesses are more or less seasonal and part time so it's a great combination for me as it involves two of my favorite things: dogs and food.
I don't have much family, and what I do have are spread all over including a sister and nephew in Italy. It was here that I realized the taste difference in fresh produce, purchased within hours of being picked; the succulent sweetness of a tomato- the vitality in a head of lettuce fresh picked, and the floral flavour of a ripe apricot. Rumour has it that the Italians took a very long time to warm up to buying imported produce, leaving bananas to turn black on the shelves. They know something we seem to have forgotten: the best food is what grows in your own backyard. Nothing against bananas.
I look forward to getting to know all of you, from customers to growers and very much hope that this helps to infuse our local economy, builds our sense of community, and rekindles our tastebuds.
As they say in Italy, Buon Appetito!
