A growing success: Fort St. John, Dawson Creek results are in for longest zucchini contest

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Long-term care homes across the province, including in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek, recently took part in a zucchini-growing competition.

The annual contest, now in its third year, has expanded to more than 20 homes in nine communities, according to a news release from Northern Health. The zucchinis are grown from the start of the growing season in the warmer months.

Fort St. John’s Peace Villa was among the participants, as well as Rotary Manor in Dawson Creek.

“We reached out to everyone and we actually have a lot of interest, which is exciting,” said Erin Branco, a long-term care dietitian who is credited by Northern Health with expanding the competition.

“It’s over 20 different sites across the north, across nine different communities. That’s huge.” 

In a Facebook post on September 26th, Northern Health announced the top three winners out of 19 participants, with Rotary Manor’s zucchini coming in second place at 18 inches. Prince George’s Gateway Lodge came in first with its zucchini at 21.5 inches.

Although not listed in the post, according to Eryn Collins, regional director of public affairs and media relations at Northern Health, Peace Villa’s zucchini came in ninth place at 11.5 inches.

Northern Health staff are hopeful the success of the competition will allow them to branch out to other crops in the future.

“We could do the biggest tomato or largest crop of peas or even the biggest sunflower if people aren’t into growing vegetables,” Branco said.  “It could be fun.”