Taste Around the World

Taste Around the World is an annual multicultural celebration held outside the Clearbrook Library in Abbotsford. The event is designed to use the power of shared meals to build relationships and strengthen the social fabric of the community. It draws hundreds of participants who gather to learn about the diverse heritage of their neighbors while emphasizing the importance of equitable access to culturally significant foods.

The festival features several volunteer cooking teams representing different global regions, such as Saudi Arabia, Okinawa, India, and Ukraine. Attendees use a "food passport" to navigate the various stations and sample authentic dishes, which have previously included Okinawan goya chanpuru, Ukrainian verenyky, Indian pakoras, and Saudi Arabian formoza. Each team has the opportunity to share the history and cultural significance of their specific dish with the public.

Beyond the food tastings, the event serves as a hub for community resources, featuring booths from local organizations like Tourism Abbotsford and the UFV Food and Agriculture Institute. The gathering aligns with the values of the Abbotsford Food Charter, highlighting food as a vital connection point for identity and belonging within the city.