Are you wondering about Farm Experiences and U-Pick activities? Most of your favourite family farms are OPEN for business during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and they are excited to welcome you, feed you, share agri-learning and agri-toursim experiences with you! Things … Continue reading
In recognition of the significant role the province’s honey bees and native pollinators play in B.C.’s agricultural industry and the lives of British Columbians, May 29 is proclaimed Day of the Honey Bee. “Honey bees and native pollinators may be … Continue reading
By Jane Reid Delicious just-picked harvests from the Fraser Valley just keep on coming at this time of year—a veritable cornucopia of goodness. Corn, beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini and more berries just to name a few. Markets … Continue reading
By Jane Reid The U-pick berry patch holds a special charm–a place where time stands still and the frenetic, noisy business of everyday life seems to fall away. The sun, a light breeze, occasional bird song or buzzing bees, and … Continue reading
By Jane Reid Now is the time to enjoy the first delicious offerings of the BC growing season! Rosy rhubarb, tender asparagus, fresh crisp greens, piquant chives and green onions, plus a long-time BC favourite–pink-eyed baby Warba potatoes. A feast … Continue reading
By Jane Reid April is a month of anticipation. Finally, the weather warms so we can swoon over cherry blossoms and tulips while we turn our faces to soak up the welcome sunshine. We dream of summer and all the … Continue reading
Valentine’s Day and chocolate are a match made in heaven. This week, why not try this Chocolate Buckwheat Torte created by Anita’s Baking Team at Anita’s Organic Mill. A gluten-free treat, this is torte is all heart and no ache. … Continue reading
Just in time for all those favorite winter recipes using leeks; here is a close up look at this very versatile vegetable. Leeks are cousins to onions, but rather than forming a tight bulb like the onion, leeks produce a … Continue reading
We came across this article written by Dan Nosowitz in Modern Farmer and thought it would be of interest to our BC Farm Fresh cheese lovers. Sure cow milk is what comes to mind for most people when thinking about … Continue reading
Everything you ever wanted to know about eggs, courtesy of the BC Egg Farmers. You’ll never look at eggs the same again. How many eggs can a hen lay in a year? About 300. Are brown eggs more nutritious than … Continue reading
Thanks to FullTilt Marketing for this interesting outlook on 2019! Here’s a look at the food trends for 2019 according to food bloggers. Usually we look for food trends from the large national grocery stores and retail outlets, but food … Continue reading
Warning: this blog is a very slanted view on life! It’s almost the end of the year and the start of a whole new year. A great way to mark the New Year is to make resolutions for personal … Continue reading
As many of you celebrate Christmas with your families, we thought we’d provide some turkey tidbits to perk your interest and to entertain your family – some tall turkey tales! The prehistoric turkey Researchers have found … Continue reading
We came across this really cute article from the Oklahoma State University Extension and we had to share it with BC Farm Fresh! Have you ever wondered how Santa’s reindeer can make that monumental journey on Christmas Eve? Let’s look into … Continue reading
Poinsettias are another great Christmas tradition. These brightly coloured flowers are sure to brighten up any home through all our dark our December days. Our local poinsettia growers buy cuttings in mid-summer and carefully grow them until November/December. These poor … Continue reading
Longer nights, cooler mornings, rainy days… It’s a great time for warm drinks. Save this recipe to serve as part of your winter and Christmas celebrations. It has the colour and flavours that are sure to tickle your guest’s taste … Continue reading
Fir trees were probably first used in Northern Europe about one thousand years ago; but get this; many homes hung their trees upside down from the ceiling using chains. Northern Europeans would also bring Hawthorne and cherry plants into their … Continue reading
When it comes to Christmas trees; what type of family are you? Does your family believe that it’s never too early to put a tree up? Or do you prefer to wait until two weeks before or one week before … Continue reading
Kale Salad with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, White Beans, and Warm Bacon Dressing is a delicious meal in itself or a great side dish for just about anything. A great salad that combines the nutritional power of kale, delicate fingerling potatoes … Continue reading
The dark, rainy days of November are perfect time for a culinary tour of our great local root vegetables. Don’t be alarmed by their thick, strange looking skin, colours or the long stems and leaves coming out of them. (Yes, … Continue reading
Baked Apples with a Scandinavian Twist We found this story and recipe on the Ambrosia Apple website and we couldn’t resist sharing it with our BC Farm Fresh followers. If you go to Stockholm, Sweden, chances are you’ll be told … Continue reading
Here’s a fun story that we found on the British Columbia Magazine website. We bet you didn’t know that egg cartons had a BC connection. Canadians have a claim to fame when it comes to inventions that have made modern … Continue reading
Warm pumpkin pie spices will fill your kitchen with a wonderful aroma as this is baking. Here’s a make-ahead dish to bake the next morning for a mass-free breakfast or brunch. Total: 70 min. Prep 10 min. Cook 60 … Continue reading
Ever wondered about the history and origins of carving pumpkins into what we call Jack-o-laterns? Well, at BC Farm Freesh we did some internet investitating. The practice of making jack-o-lanterns at Halloween goes back for centuries. Stories say the practice … Continue reading
Here’s a great recipe full of flavour and warmth; the very essence of fall! A great way to add more pumpkins to your life. Thanks to Thrifty Foods for the recipe. Prep Time: 35 minutes … Continue reading
Fall is a time for colours, fog, jack-o’-lanterns, and pumpkin pie. Pumpkins are one of the classic symbols of the season, and spooky jack-o’-lanterns have become a staple of Halloween celebrations everywhere. But long before pumpkin spice lattes became the … Continue reading
What could possibly make Ambrosia apples more delicious? How about cloaking them in bacon and giving them a slight spicy chipotle bite! This recipe is fantastic as an appetizer (watch them go) or as an addition to brunch. And, if … Continue reading
One of our favourite fall images is a small child standing beside a giant pumpkin. Seeing the wonder in their eyes, and the excitement in their step, is one of the greatest joys a farmer can witness. And while cuteness … Continue reading
This recipe is a family favorite. When the kids moved away from home this was the one recipe they e-mailed home for. It’s a huge favorite at potlucks. It’s a great cold weather treat. And because it’s full of dairy … Continue reading
Did you know that there are more than 1,000 varieties of apples grown in North America and dozens grown in Southern British Columbia? To help prepare you for apple season, here’s an overview of the apples we grow at … Continue reading
We were delighted when we found this recipe in our weekly newsletter from Ralph’s Farm Market. A great way to celebrate all the wonderful local pears! Thanks Ralph’s for sharing! By Tish Boyle Servings: eight. This cake … Continue reading
This is our last Sizzling Sumer Give Away of the summer, but we’re going out with a bang! One lucky winner will be touring the Fraser Valley to pick up these amazing prizes from our member farms. … Continue reading
We’ve been entertaining you with some quirky apple facts; now to get serious about this wonderful fruit – apples nutritional information. Don’t peel your apple. Two-thirds of the fiber and lots of antioxidants are found in … Continue reading
Longer nights, cooler mornings, rainy days… It’s a great time for warm fall drinks. Save this recipe to serve as part of your Thanksgiving celebrations. This recipe would also be fabulous if it was made with fresh, local cider. Thanks … Continue reading
Continuing to look at our amazing local apples. Apples have made significant contributions to science medicine, love, and fairy tales! To science: Isaac Newton is said to have discovered the Law of Gravity when an apple … Continue reading
Now that the weather is getting cooler and we even have some rainy days; we’re starting to think about warm soups. Here’s a great recipe from Lepp Farm Market that celebrates our fabulous Fraser Valley corn and potatoes. A great … Continue reading
Our apple growers do a fabulous job of growing all their different apple varieties. All we have to do is show up starting in mid-August to buy their amazing apples. While you’re picking or buying those local apples; here are … Continue reading
A great way to kick off September with the sizzling summer give away! This month it’s all about family fun and fresh, local produce. The lucky winner will receive the following: From Campbell Valley Farms in … Continue reading
Time for a look at apples throughout history; they’ve been popular for over 8,000 years! Archaeologists have found evidence that humans have been enjoying apples since at least 6500 B.C. Charred apples have … Continue reading
The apple season is here! Many BC Farm Fresh farms are now selling fresh, local apples. Here’s a great breakfast idea from Thrifty Foods that looks and tastes amazing. Plus these pancakes have the added goodness of fresh apples. They’re as … Continue reading
We’re just starting off another great apple harvest at BC Farm Fresh. Apples are fabulous to eat right off the tree and are great in all sorts of baking and cooking recipes. Apple pies, apple sauce, apple cider – you … Continue reading
Here’s something to celebrate the last days of summer. Ingredients 2 cups each fresh blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and sliced bananas, mixed 2 cups plain or vanilla yogurt 1/4 cup white sugar 8 … Continue reading
At BC Farm Fresh we’ve been getting a few questions about corn; people looking for old favorite varieties and familiar names. We came across this great blog from Lepp Farm Market that’s a veritable corn-cyclopedia. Now let’s … Continue reading
This recipe is courtesy of Lepp Farm Market. This is such a great summer dish, and a definite crowd pleaser. Spooning it into individual serving cups makes a beautiful presentation for a party. It’s also delicious added to tacos or … Continue reading
Hostas are a great shade plant that provide great colour, shape and texture in your garden. They’re perfect for those shady spots in your garden, but with enough water, they’ll take some sunshine as well. Hostas originally came from Japan, … Continue reading
Here’s great recipe that features two favorite foods – blueberries and bacon. The two combine for some great flavours. This is perfect to add some zing to your burgers, sandwiches and other BBQ’d meat. Ingredients: … Continue reading
Our Sizzling Summer Give Away is back! For August we feature five farms that provide a great mix of products – honey, entertainment, meat for the barbeque, and flowers for your home or garden. We … Continue reading
This is a great summer recipe from JD Specialty Turkey Store. It’s an easy, healthy, delicious dish that your whole family will love! Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 20 Minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients 1 … Continue reading
Meet the super food – cauliflower. We’ve all known and loved cauliflower for years. How about a closer look into this great vegetable? Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable that belongs the cabbage family. It has some high powered relatives in … Continue reading
Here’s an amazing salad that features kale, blueberries and quinoa – powerful! Recipe courtesy of BC Blueberry Council http://www.bcblueberry.com/ Yields 4 portions Ingredients 2 cups (200 g) raw kale, stem removed and chopped 1.5 cups (225 g) … Continue reading
Time for an in-depth look into our favorite blue berry. Everyone loves blueberries whether they’re picked and eaten straight from the bush or baked into a favorite dessert, but have you ever wanted to know more about this delicious fruit? … Continue reading
Here’s something different to start your day off. Recipe courtesy of BC Blueberry Council: http://www.bcblueberry.com/ Ingredients 1 cup (240 ml) water 1½ cups (360 ml) milk divided 1 tsp (5 ml) salt 1 cup (165 … Continue reading
Specializing in BC’s fresh produce, as well as Okanagan’s scrumptious in-season fruit, our family owned & operated business and family farm has grown steadily over the years. This year we are pleased to announce our second harvest of blueberries, fresh … Continue reading
A new summer favourite from Lepp Farm Market. This classic Canadian bar has been updated into the ideal summer dessert to celebrate our nation’s birthday. The chewy crust, creamy ice-cream and ganache topping are a perfect combination of flavours to … Continue reading
Our Sizzling Summer Give Away is back! This month we feature five farms that that are all about seasonal fresh. We have an amazing mix of fresh, local products for the winner: two flats fresh raspberries from … Continue reading
We all love strawberry shortcake, here is a fabulous recipe that features raspberries and chocolate. It’s sure to become another family favorite. Thanks to Thrifty Foods for the recipe. Ingredients 1-1/4 cups flour 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder 1/3 … Continue reading
O, Canada. There’s lots to love about our country, from its glorious landscapes to its diverse peoples. Its unique combination of beauty and odd history make it one of the most magical places in the world. Let’s celebrate Canada Day … Continue reading
Here’s a cool, refreshing drink that is all about summer berries! Thanks to Thrifty Foods for this great recipe. Ingredients 4 cups cold water (divided) 1/4 cup sugar, or to taste 3 orange pekoe … Continue reading
We’re just seeing the first raspberries at BC Farm Fresh. It’s exciting to have the second local berry ready; a sure sign that summer is finally here! To celebrate these great berries, we’re providing an in depth look at these … Continue reading
Strawberries don’t only have to be featured in deserts and other sweet dishes. They can make a wonderful flavour and colour addition to salads. This recipe looks amazing, but it’s so simple with only four ingredients. We found this recipe at … Continue reading
Here is another great recipe from Lepp Farm Market; with a personal introduction from Char Lepp. King Frederick II of Prussia introduced Europeans to the exotic South American tuber in 1700’s, tricking local farmers into planting more of the “apple … Continue reading
Father’s Day is this Sunday. A special day for the Dad in our lives. It’s the day when we tell our Dad how much he means to us and how lucky we are to have him in our life. This … Continue reading
This fabulous recipe is from Thrifty Foods. A great way to enjoy our wonderful fresh strawberries and impress your family and friends. Prep Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 18 to 20 minutes Makes: 20 … Continue reading
Nothing says the start of summer like strawberries. Each sweet, juicy berry seems to shout out “summer’s here!” They are an amazingly versatile berry; they can be frozen, made into jams, pies, cakes, smoothies; the list is endless. However, the … Continue reading
A great recipe from Thrifty Foods for fresh French toast where you’ve done all the work the evening before. In the morning, you just have to get up and pop the dish in the oven. Made even better with BC … Continue reading
More on our great, local strawberries. This article is generously provided by Lepp Farm Market. Did you know that there are two types of strawberries? If you’re as old as I am, then you probably remember … Continue reading
This is the time of year when we’re dreaming of the taste of that first strawberry of the year. We thought we’d provide some fun details about strawberries. Thanks to Art’s Nursery for this great article! If you ask people … Continue reading
Everyone jokes about the sometimes repressed times known as the Victorian era. But there’s a lot about the woman we owe the first unofficial long weekend of our summer to every year that you may not have realized. … Continue reading
We thought it was a good time to celebrate a pacific North West garden favorite – the rhododendron! It’s a garden staple in many of our Fraser Valley gardens. The flowers come in a wide range of colours from deep … Continue reading
Mother’s Day is this week-end. It really is one of those days that we should all stop and take notice of the special woman or women in our lives that have been there for us through thick and thin. Are … Continue reading
A sure sign of spring – rhubarb. What could be better than a piping hot bowl of rhubarb crumble? Or how about a delicious rhubarb pie, summery rhubarb fool or homemade rhubarb jam? With so many classic rhubarb recipes to … Continue reading
Just in time for Cinco De Mayo celebrations, Lepp Farm Market has this great recipe. The recipe includes comments and insights from Charlotte Lepp. The best thing about “bowl” recipes is that you can whip them up using whatever you … Continue reading
The first blooms of lilac are opening in gardens. Their amazing fragrance makes it impossible to walk by without stopping for a deep sniff. Their colours range from pure white to the deepest purples. They are a garden staple across … Continue reading
This is a great recipe with an introduction from Charlotte at Lepp Farm Market. Thanks Lepp Farm Market for sharing! This idea for a cheesecake & carrot cake crossover immediately caught my attention as the perfect dessert for spring, and combines … Continue reading
A few stories about the history behind the Easter egg and the Easter bunny to think about as you hunt for all those eggs and enjoy time with your family. The term Easter gets its name … Continue reading
White and yellow batters combine to gives this chiffon type cake an inviting daffodil coloured look. It’s perfect for your spring entertaining or your family’s Easter celebrations. Thanks to Thrifty Foods for the recipe! Ingredients For the white … Continue reading
A garden favorite that is just coming into bloom is the magnolia (Magnolia spp.). They put out a spectacular flower displays in early spring; followed by showy seedpods that look like they come from another planet. Their wonderful pink or … Continue reading
Here’s a comfort food favorite with an adult twist – fresh Gouda cheese. Ingredients 3 1/2 Tbsp. butter 2 1/4 cups macaroni 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 2 1/2 cups warm milk 225 grams … Continue reading
Lutein is a vitamin closely related to beta-carotene and vitamin A. In plants, Lutein controls light during the photosynthesis process. It’s found in high concentrations in leafy greens like kale, spinach, chard, and dandelion greens. (Interestingly, nasturtium flowers have a bonkers … Continue reading
Here’s another great recipe from Lepp Farm Market. A versatile recipe that’s perfect for a sunny day or a cold, rainy spring day. For a tender moist chop, be sure not to skip the brining! You’ll want to do that … Continue reading
Did you remember to move your clocks forward one hour this morning at 2:00 AM? We all suffer that loss of an hour’s sleep on Monday, but we all appreciate the long, bright summer evenings. Why did we ever start … Continue reading
You may have spotted these spring beauties enjoying our spring sunshine the past few days. Just when it seems spring flowers will never arrive; out pop the crocuses. These delicate spring beauties are among the earliest spring flowers. They’re about … Continue reading
This is another wonderful recipe from Lepp Farm Market with a great introduction and tips from Charlotte Lepp. As our children were growing up, this recipe adapted from Better Baking was often my go-to dinner on a busy day. It’s a great make-ahead … Continue reading
Primulas are another great spring beauty. These amazing bright flowers are wonderful on their own or planted in spring combination planters with other spring flowers like tulips and daffodils. The cheerful, happy flowers are found in a dazzling variety of … Continue reading
Here’s a great idea for breakfast or brunch that combines our love of baked potatoes with a nutritional boast of fresh eggs. You can spice it up with some fresh salsa if you prefer a hot start to your day. … Continue reading
Pansies and violas are a great additions to your fall or spring gardens – they’re one flower that thrives in cool, wet weather. There’s no better treat in the garden than seeing their bright, cheerful faces boldly confronting our unpredictable … Continue reading
Here is a great recipe from Lepp Farm Market for all you fried chicken lovers that has the same great flavour without the calories and mess. Here is how Charlotte Lepp describes the recipe: Like most people, I love fried … Continue reading
We came across this article written by Dan Nosowitz in Modern Farmer and thought it would be of interest to our BC Farm Fresh cheese lovers. Cow milk is what comes to mind for most people when thinking about what … Continue reading
Here’s a fun version of pizza that makes a great snack or party favorite. Recipe courtesy of Love & Lemons Yield: 8 Prep Time: 10 Minutes Ready Time: 22 Minutes Cook Time: 12 Minutes Ingredients 8 to 12 fingerling … Continue reading
For all you vegetable and history lovers; this blog is for you! A new discovery made during roadworks in BC shows that farmers of ancient times in the area may have been more sophisticated than … Continue reading
This recipe is perfect for on-the-go families who want to come home to a delicious meal that’s ready to eat. With just 30 minutes prep time, you can set the slow cooker in the morning and forget about it until … Continue reading
Valentine’s Day is coming quickly; this year the falls on the Wednesday right after our Family Day holiday. What could be better than a long week-end followed by romance? To help you remember to celebrate this special day and gain … Continue reading
Lepp Farm Market shares a great meatloaf recipe! This recipe from MEI’s Ladies Auxiliary 1983 Cookery Carousel is still my favorite meatloaf recipe, basic but so flavourful. The key to a great texture that’s not tough and dry is … Continue reading
Eggs are an affordable, accessible, nutrient-rich source of high-quality protein. New research shows that eggs are associated with a 12% reduction in the risk of stroke, the fifth-leading cause of death in North America. Researchers have scrutinized the possible relationship … Continue reading
Lepp Farm Market has a great recipe for meatballs that can be start of some wonderful meals. Yield: 22 to 24 small (about 1.5-inch or 1.5 tablespoon) meatballs. To ensure the meatballs … Continue reading
BC Farm Fresh surfed the web to look at possible food trends for 2018. Wow, the year ahead looks to be really exciting, tasty and colourful. But don’t be alarmed that the experts are expecting you to change. From what … Continue reading
This recipe is from Lepp Farm Market Our Grocery Manager, Stephanie, is one of the busiest women that I know these days! When she isn’t at the market, cheerfully leading her team of cashiers, or restocking, ordering, and keeping track of … Continue reading
Kaitlynn Anderson shares what she learnt from growing up on a farm. Growing up on the farm, I learned many things. Food production isn’t simple. Cattle are ruminants. Damage from spider mites can first be seen on the edges of … Continue reading
It’s almost the end of the year and the start of a whole new year. A great way to mark the New Year is to make resolutions for personal improvement. At BC Farm Fresh we did some research into the … Continue reading
Here’s a light hearted story that compares Santa Claus to farmers. Whether it’s true we’ll let you decide! He works all year, just to give his stuff away He’s good with livestock He … Continue reading