At the beginning of April, SPUD.ca and VancouverMom.ca launched our search for Vancouver’s Greenest Family. We asked you to enter, and you did. Our judges entered our field of entries down to just five finalists. It was a difficult job, because there were so many inspiring families, but they did it. Then, on Earth Day, we introduced you to our final five families, and asked you to vote. More than 2000 votes later, the results are in. We’d like to congratulate the McEachern family, winner of our Vancouver’s Greenest Family contest!

Meet Vancouver’s Greenest Family

The McEachern family lives in Maple Ridge with their three young children, aged four, six and ten. Some of the small steps they take towards living more sustainably include making all their own body care and cleaning products, committing to completely litterless and plastic-free school lunches, and driving a hybrid plug in electric car. They live on a small acreage, and raise as much of their own food as possible. They have an organic vegetable garden, fruit trees and bushes, honey bees, chickens and dairy goats. It’s not just mom and dad getting in on the action, either. The kids collect eggs, help with animal chores and help harvest food. They’re extending their influence beyond their own family, as mom Leona is providing her 10-year-old son’s elementary school class with a class garden, teaching them how to grow their own food and where their food comes from. As well, they chronicle their journey on their blog, My Healthy Green Family.

The McEacherns love adopting a green lifestyle. Leona says, “An all natural lifestyle is liberating. Once you stop dealing with chemicals you realize that you can, indeed, make, grow and raise your own food and products from basic ingredients that are safe for the body and the environment. ou then KNOW what you are putting into your body and into the earth. An all natural lifestyle is simple, and teaches the difference between want and need. An all natural lifestyle is sustainable. We are living not only for our children, but for our children’s children. And our footprint makes a difference.”

The Prize

In addition to the bragging rights that come with being Vancouver’s Greenest Family, the McEacherns will receive a prize package valued at over $1500, including all these goodies:
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SPUD.ca

One month of FREE groceries delivered to your door
Valued at $300

Golden Ears Cheesecrafters

Locally made artisan cheeses
Valued at $175

Happy Planet

Fresh, all natural, premium delicious soups and chili
Valued at $200

Salt Spring Coffee

Get caffeinated
Valued at $100
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Vega

A gift basket full of energy
Valued at $100

Glutenull

Delicious locally crafted gluten free treats!
Valued at $65

Left Coast Naturals

Delicious snacking basket
Valued at $100

Terra Breads

Gift basket of goodies
Valued at $80
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GM Canada

Drive a Chevrolet Volt for one week
Priceless

Nature’s Path

Gift basket
Valued at $150

Sapadilla Soap Co.

Green cleaning package
Valued at $60

Fable Naturals

Local, natural skin care
Valued at $48
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In addition to the McEacherns we’d like to congratulate to all of our finalists – the Bal, Behnke, Gillis-Land-Murphy and Jang families. We’d also like to thank everyone who participated in our search for Vancouver’s Greenest Family. We found this experience to be inspiring. It has served as an excellent reminder of the difference that one family can make.