provided to The Santiva Chronicle
The eagerly anticipated 2026 Taste of the Islands takes place on Saturday, March 21, and Florida Trust Wealth Management continues its support as sponsor of the coveted “People’s Choice” Award.
Eleven of Sanibel and Captiva’s favorite restaurants will take part in this delicious event to support and raise funds for a cause near and dear to the hearts of residents and visitors who love wildlife, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife – also known as CROW.
“Taste of the Islands is an exciting and fun family event on the islands that we are thrilled to support,” says Jeff Muddell, MBA, CFP®, president of Florida Trust’s Sanibel office. “It’s great to see everyone come together to support CROW and the amazing work they do to rehabilitate and protect our wildlife. We look forward to a great day with friends, family and food.”
Alison Charney Hussey, Executive Director of CROW, is grateful for Florida Trust’s generosity year after year and is looking forward to seeing what restaurant hoists the highly anticipated “People’s Choice Award.”
“We appreciate Florida Trust’s continued support of CROW and our community ‘friendraiser’,” says Charney Hussey. “Taste of the Islands highlights the creativity of our local restaurants and brings our community together to celebrate the vibrant flavors of Sanibel and Captiva, all while supporting our efforts to save wildlife patients through rescue, recovery, rehabilitation and release.”
CROW’s teaching hospital and visitor education center is dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, research, education and conservation medicine. Its soon-to-open Harkey Sea Turtle Complex will be the only licensed rehabilitation facility between Sarasota and the Florida Keys.
Before the event, foodies can whet their appetite with Restaurant Week, running from March 13-20, in which participating local restaurants will offer special menu items for guests to try and vote on. Then, community members can join in person on March 21 for an unforgettable day of food, drinks, live music and community spirit.
Restaurants include:
· Cielo
· Sanibel Deli
· Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
· Green Flash
· Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen
· Rosalita’s Cantina
· BRGR Kitchen & Bar
· Scooters
· The Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market
· Blue Giraffe Island Bar & Grill
· Island Pizza Company
Categories such as “Best Appetizer,” “Best Seafood” and “Taste of the Taste” will highlight the culinary creativity of local chefs, with attendees voting for their favorites to determine the winner of the “People’s Choice” Award.
Taste of the Islands will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, at Sanibel City Hall, 800 Dunlop Road on Sanibel.
Admission to Taste of the Islands is $10 for adults, $5 for children under 10 and free for children 3 and under. Tickets can be purchased online at TasteOfTheIslands.org or at the event.