Kudrinko's Ltd. independent grocery store in downtown Westport is a busy spot. The business with the motto "Kudos to Good Food!" nearly triples during the summer months. It keeps owners Neil and Martha Kudrinko and their staff very busy. At peak season, the store employs 28 people

The Kudrinko family has been operating a grocery store here since 1990 and they've been an independent since 2007. The family celebrated their 25th anniversary in May. It's also a banner year for another reason - Kudrinko's is the first food store in Canada to earn a Grocery Stewardship Certification for sustainability. The certification is through the U.S.-based Manomet Centre for Conservation Services. Independent business operators must achieve 100 points for certification. Kudrinko's nearly doubled this with 198 points. 

"I think sustainability is important if we are to compete with other markets," said Neil. "It's not just about the environment. It's about being a responsible manager of your business." 

The store was also given points for its work in the community. Kudrinko's offers food education tours for local schools, is a funding partner with the Foley Mountain Outdoor Education Centre and is a consultant for the Two Rivers Food Hub (see related story). To learn more about this thriving Westport business and the award visit their website.

From left to right: In the kitchen with Food Hub General Manager Bruce Enloe, Weekly Food Box program worker Ashley Spence and coordinator Sarah Mackenzie. The kitchen can be rented by individuals and local food producers.

The five core services provided by the Food Hub are: a Commercial-approved kitchen, appliance and packaging machine rentals for farmers and food businesses using local food: Aggregation and wholesales services; a Weekly Food Box program; Agricultural storage, packaging and processing; and Information services. 

Learn more about the Two Rivers Food Hub.

Members of the newly-launched 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Garden Trail are enjoying visits from hikers, bikers, cyclists and those arriving by car or bus. Garden enthusiasts have come from as far away as Poland, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, as well as parts of Ontario and Quebec, including Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Prince Edward County. Hundreds of guests have been impressed and site hosts are receiving positive comments with word-of-mouth spreading the news fast. Guests are enjoying the region's garden experience and then dining in places such as the Red George Pub and Maplehurst Manor, to name just a few. 

The Garden Trail is poised to expand with a goal of three additional sites in 2016. The garden selection committee is interested in hearing from any Leeds Grenville sites, public or private, by August 10, 2015. Each site must meet the criterion to ensure guests leave saying their garden tourism experience was amazing. Gardens should be beautiful, unique, well designed and educational. Any garden site interested in becoming part of the trail can find more information on the Leeds Grenville website's Garden page.

Dave Cybulski, Garden Trail Co-chair/Maitland Garden of Hope, believes "it's about meeting people from diverse cultures and showing all that we have to offer, our simple beauty." Ed and Laurie Wight from Chillane Gardens enjoy being part of the trail and say "this format gives us a chance to answer questions and hear about their gardens too."

You can take a stroll along the bank of the St. Lawrence River while enjoying the Shakespearean Gardens on Prescott's waterfront. Today is the media day  and helping make the day even more special are the Shakespeare Festival Barbershop Quartet and horticulturalist Phil Burton.

The award recognizes Leeds Grenville residents who, through volunteerism, have helped improve the region's economy.

The Bill Thake Memorial Award was first introduced in 2011. The winner will be announced at the Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit on Friday, November 20 at the North Grenville Municipal Centre.

Nomination forms will be available online in August. For more information contact Deanna Clark at 613-342-3840, ext. 5360.