In constructing the perfect charcuterie offering, it helps to have B.C.’s finest farmers, mixologists, fishers, cheesemakers and chefs on board.

RAVEN is NOT a tour company: we’re a scrappy NGO raising legal defence funds to push back against ill-advised industries and create better laws with Indigenous Nations. But we have some seriously awesome friends, who have jumped in to lend a hand as we embark on Festival Afloat: the Salish Sea tour.

We’re inviting small groups of 24 aboard the Providence, B.C.’s oldest ship and a beauty of a gaff-rigged ketch from 1903. As we sail Vancouver Harbour (July 8 and 9), Sidney (July 14 and 17) and Salt Spring Island (July 15 and 16), we’ll be laying out incredible gourmet spreads courtesy of our very generous festival sponsors.

First ingredient? Brilliant culinary minds. Enter Shani Cranston, of hOMe Grown Living foods, whose decades of experience running retreats and gatherings makes her the perfect lead to design and develop menus for RAVEN’s 10 day sailing.

Shani is joining forces with Dr. Heidi Lescanec to serve ‘barefoot cruise’ passengers delicious charcuterie, including:

• SCOUT Sustainable seafood: The first sustainable craft seafood cannery, run by celebrity chef and life-long fisher Charlotte Langley, Scout sources 100% of their seafood directly from regional fishing communities across Canada and the US. Try lobster, tuna, salmon and mussels.

• hOMe Grown Living Foods: hOMe Grown Living Foods is a Vancouver based farm that makes small batch ketogenic snacks to fuel an active lifestyle. Certified Organic Super Foods SPROUTED * KETO * PLANT BASED * GLUTEN & GRAIN FREE pizza crust, cracker and bread mixes will fuel the RAVEN crews as we sail the Salish Sea!

• Truffula Cheeze – Truffula vegan cheeses are crafted with organic seeds, herbs, and nuts and thoughtfully prepared using raw food techniques that enhance nutritional value and flavour.

• Guayaki Yerba Mate – Enjoy high energy, sparkling and low-sugar varieties of Yerba Mate. Try Lemon Elation, Orange Exuberance, Bluephoria, Enlighten Mint and Revel Berry.

• Tree Island Yogurt – Gourmet, grass-fed artisan Cream Top yogurt using local ingredients and traditional kettle cooking. We are proud to be serving Vancouver Island’s #1 artisan yogurt!

• The Gathering Place – Gathering Place Trading sells organic and fair-trade spices, herbs, teas and salt as a family-owned business founded on beautiful Cortes Island.

• Beach Camp Coffee – campfire cups brewed by surfers John Rathwell and Tracy Guenard eventually evolved into Beach Camp Coffee Co., the first coffee roaster in Port Renfrew, B.C.

We’re also grateful to Country Grocer (Salt Spring Island), Scout and Guayaki for stepping up with donations that mean every dollar you donate to Heiltsuk and Gitxaala’s legal challenges during the festival will be DOUBLED. Make a donation here.