An upcoming fundraiser will support the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife.<\/p>\n
CROW will present its 44th annual Taste of the Islands on March 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at City Hall on Sanibel. Leading up to the big event, Restaurant Week will take place on March 13-20.<\/p>\n
\u201cTaste of the Islands is a fundraiser and a friendraiser,\u201d Executive Director Alison Charney Hussey said. \u201cIt\u2019s a community event to bring everyone together to not only support CROW, but to have a good time \u2014 to eat, drink and be merry and to support our island restaurants.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added that proceeds from the fundraiser will support CROW\u2019s mission of saving wildlife.<\/p>\n
Twelve restaurants are participating this year, including the Blue Giraffe Island Bar & Grill, BRGR Kitchen & Bar, Cielo, Doc Ford\u2019s Rum Bar & Grille, Island Pizza Company, Rosalita\u2019s Cantina, Sanibel Deli, Scooters, The Green Flash, Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market, and Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen.<\/p>\n
During Restaurant Week, the public can get a \u201cTaste\u201d of each restaurant\u2019s items entered in the competition, as well as has the opportunity to cast their vote early for the People\u2019s Choice Award.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnjoy exclusive previews of their featured menu items before the main event,\u201d CROW Director of Development & Communications Grace Murphy said. \u201cThen cast your vote for your favorite and help crown the 2026 People\u2019s Choice Award winner.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope everyone will take advantage of Restaurant Week and visit our participating restaurants to not only get a sneak peek at their Taste items, but to support and enjoy the full menus and ambiance of our wonderful partners,\u201d Hussey added.<\/p>\n
On March 21, Taste of the Islands will feature food, drinks and entertainment.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwelve of Sanibel and Captiva\u2019s favorite restaurants will be serving up their most mouthwatering dishes, all competing for bragging rights in the People\u2019s Choice Awards, individual food category honors and the coveted overall Taste of the Taste Award,\u201d Murphy said.<\/p>\n
The menu items will be available for six CROW Bucks or less.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s judges panel is made up of community leaders and culinary experts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey will experience what attendees experience and judge each dish based on established criteria to determine the winner of the individual categories: breakfast, appetizer, pizza, meat, seafood, vegetarian, adult beverage and dessert,\u201d Hussey said.<\/p>\n
Live music will be provided by The Keepers of SW Florida.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs you mingle with friends, savor incredible cuisine and dance the afternoon away,\u201d Murphy said.<\/p>\n
The 2026 Taste of the Islands T-shirt features a vibrant, throwback design inspired by beloved islander Ikki Motsumoto. The retro-style artwork captures the carefree island energy, colorful flavors and unforgettable memories that have made the fundraiser a community favorite for decades.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore than just a T-shirt, it\u2019s a wearable piece of island history \u2014 a nod to the fun, the food and the friends who make this event so special year after year,\u201d Murphy said.<\/p>\n
Edison National Bank\/Bank of the Islands is again serving as the presenting sponsor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are so grateful,\u201d Hussey said. \u201cThey are so committed to CROW, our community and this event to make it the best for everyone involved.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also extended a thank you to the other sponsors, plus restaurants.<\/p>\n
\u201cTaste of the Islands would be nothing without the restaurants, and through all of our challenges, they\u2019ve always come back to support CROW,\u201d Hussey said. \u201cWe know many are still struggling and rebuilding, so their support means so very much to our CROW family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Available in advance and at the event, tickets are $10 or $5 for ages 9-4; ages 3 and under are free.<\/p>\n
The public is encouraged to take part.<\/p>\n
\u201cTaste of the Islands is more than enjoying great food \u2014 although that\u2019s a fantastic reason alone to attend. It\u2019s about our community coming together to support each other and the wildlife we love to see on a daily basis here in Southwest Florida,\u201d Hussey said. \u201cEnjoying Taste means supporting CROW and our wildlife to make sure that future generations will be able to enjoy the environment we love.\u201d<\/p>\n
For tickets or more information, visit tasteoftheislands.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Murphy at development@crowclinic.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Volunteer opportunities at the event are also available. For more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator Pam Stoike at volunteers@crowclinic.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n City Hall is at 800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.<\/p>\n