Chef Colin Burslem and Intercity Packers Raise Funds For Surrey-Based Youth Social House, Mackie’s Place

Vancouver, BC - Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s Executive Chef, Colin Burslem, has partnered with Intercity Packers, a Richmond-based wholesaler that has pivoted to selling their meat and seafood products directly to the public as a result of COVID-19. These long-time partners are raising money for Mackie’s Place through their newly released Butcher Bundle, which is a chef-inspired variety pack of Colin’s favourite meat and seafood products that the everyday consumer can cook up in their own kitchen. The tropical-themed butcher bundle is called “The Escape To Hawaii Pack” and includes Maui-style beef short ribs, coconut butterfly shrimp, mahi mahi fillets and tuna poke kits, making it perfect for a Hawaiian themed staycation.

For every “Escape To Hawaii Pack” sold, Intercity Packers will donate $5 to Mackie’s Place. This fundraising initiative is part of Intercity Packers' program called the Intercity Tip Jar, which was established in April 2020 in response to COVID-19. To date, over $15,800 has been raised in the Intercity Tip Jar, which also donates funds to other program partners, including the Vancouver Aquarium, the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and the Vancouver Food & Beverage Community Relief Fund.

“Intercity Packers continues to lead the industry with high quality ingredients and innovative ideas; this opportunity aligns with my mission to support great causes in our community like Mackie’s Place, which equips vulnerable youth in Surrey with key life skills through programs like their chef skills program and an entrepreneurship program. Joining two of my passions together of people and food with this bundle allows me to give back!” said Colin Burslem.

“Our new home delivery platform represents our commitment to providing our community with safe, high quality and carefully sourced seafood, meat and produce. Our company’s story has evolved over time, but we continue to uphold the quality and customer service standards we’re known for in the restaurant industry. Our team is most proud of the fact that we can support the local community with the funds raised in the Intercity Tip. Jar” said Danny Ransom, General Manager of Intercity Packers.

Intercity Packers’ new home delivery platform is accompanied by an exciting new online store which is live now at https://shopintercity.ca/. Customers can choose to have their order delivered completely to their home within the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley area, or curbside pickup from Intercity Packer’s facility in Richmond.

About Colin Burslem:
A Vancouver local with extensive Pacific Northwest culinary experience, Colin Burslem is naturally at home at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. As Executive Chef, Burslem oversees menu development and operations for Notch8 Restaurant, In-Room Dining and Banquet operations in the hotel. Ask Colin about his food philosophy and he will tell you to support local purveyors, ‘simple is best’ and ‘learn to use the ingredients around you’.

About Intercity Packers:
The name Intercity Packers may not ring a bell at first, but you have most likely tasted their products at one of your favourite restaurants. With many restaurants in BC currently open with 50% capacity or closed entirely, Intercity Packers, a fully integrated supplier of meat and seafood that established in Vancouver in 1963, has had to pivot to a new B2C sales channel to keep product moving and their employees working.

About Mackie’s Place:
Since establishing in 2014, Mackie’s Place has become so much more than an afterschool program. Central to their mission at Mackie’s Place is building healthy, supportive relationships that offer young people the ability to see beyond their own perspectives and experiences which, in the demographic of young people they work with, often include a cycle of poverty, trauma, and addictions.

Media Contact:
Danielle Doucette
Intercity Packers Meat & Seafood
Danielle.Doucette@intercitypackers.ca
778-875-0873