Farm Fresh Blog
Newer posts →Garden mums – fall winners!
While some people may be sad to see the tail end of the summer flowers; many of us are looking forward to fall garden mums. Hundreds of hardy cultivars provide a vast array of colors and bloom shapes. The blooms … Continue reading
Amazing Apples – Part Three
We continue to take a close look at apples; September is the start of the main apple harvest at BC Farm Fresh; to answer all your unasked questions, we have a three part series on apples for your entertainment. This … Continue reading
Amazing Apples – Part Two
September is the start of the main apple harvest at BC Farm Fresh; to answer all your unasked questions, we have a three part series on apples for your entertainment. This is part two. Number trivia fun facts If … Continue reading
Sizzling Summer Event – September Give Away
It’s now September and summer did come for a few weeks, but the weather really took a wrong turn the past week! We’re going to try with some more give-aways to heat up your summer and get you ready for … Continue reading
Dazzling Dahlias
A flower that’s been enjoying our recent sunny weather is the dahlia. A true garden dazzler with their many colours and many shapes. We thought this was a good week to take a closer look at this amazing flower. Colours … Continue reading
The Joys of Apples – Part One
We’re just starting off with 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 – … Continue reading
How to choose the right apple?
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 Taves … Continue reading
Corn – What’s in a Name?
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 you know the truth … Continue reading
Sizzling Summer Give Away Continues
The Sizzling Summer Give Away continues! It’s now August and we’re getting really worried about summer ever arriving at BC Farm Fresh. We’re going to try with some more give-aways to heat up your summer and get you out of … Continue reading
Cooking sausages to perfection, every time – Tips from Urban Digs
Sausages are tasty, but unless they’re cooked properly, the results can be less than awesome. Cooking a sausage is no different than cooking a steak, if you rush, you’ll be disappointed, but if you take the care and the time, … Continue reading
Baba Ganoush
Here’s a classic eggplant recipe from the Applebarn Taves Family Farm. Ingredients • 4 medium eggplant • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 1/2 tsp sea salt • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled … Continue reading
Dive into the world of eggplants
Some fun facts to consider as you enjoy this deep, dark beauty. 1. Eggplants aren’t REALLY vegetables, they’re berries. Which isn’t that strange, considering other fruits are commonly mistaken for vegetables – like tomatoes. 2. Eggplants and tomatoes are actually … Continue reading
Our beef the environment and YOU
There’s a lot in the news about beef production, particularly how it’s negative for the environment. It’s true that some producers have lost their way, but this doesn’t mean that all cattle producers are poor stewards of the land. At … Continue reading
Sizzling Summer Contest at BC Farm Fresh
We’re starting to give up on summer ever arriving at BC Farm Fresh, so we decided to heat things up with some give-aways over the next few months. This week we feature three farms in the Abbotsford area. We’ve got … Continue reading
Kohlrabi – space alien or vegetable?
At BC Farm Fresh this vegetable is often the subject of many jokes; we’re fascinated by its strange looks. In apology to the jokes we’ve made at the expense of kohlrabis; today’s blog will feature this great vegetable. And we’ll … Continue reading
Is local food worth all the hype?
Here are five reasons to consider. Local food: 1. Tastes and looks better. Crops are picked at their peak and farmstead products, such as artisan cheeses are hand-crafted and made in small batches for optimal flavour. With livestock processed in … Continue reading
Raspberry Iced Tea
A perfect summer drink to cool you and your family down this summer. Can be made with any of your favorite BC Farm Fresh berry! Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: A few minutes Makes: About 6 (1 cup) servings … Continue reading
Hydrangea Hysteria
This is the time of year when hydrangeas really shine in the garden; in fact they’ve been looking amazing for several weeks. They are not one of the quiet, unassuming flowers in the garden. Their huge pom-poms of flowers say … Continue reading
Macaroni with Wiener Sauce
Retro is in! And Lepp Farm Market is sharing a retro recipe that is sure to bring back some memories. As a new bride I worked at Hooge’s Fabrics in Abbotsford, (long-time Abbotsford residents will remember them!) and my co-worker, … Continue reading
Lepp Farm Market Sausage Masters making Hot Dogs
Just in time for the long week-end; Lepp Farm Market would like to share with all our BC Farm Fresh supporters how they make hot dogs. Lepp Farm Market is a family-run, year-round farm market that specializes in locally grown, … Continue reading
Raspberry Razzle Dazzle
Time to celebrate raspberries. BC Farm Fresh hopes that you’ve been enjoying this year’s great raspberries. Sweet, tasty, and good for you! Here are some raspberry fun facts to keep in mind as your enjoy these great berries. Botanical fun … Continue reading
Meet a new berry: Goji Berries
Picture courtesy of Gojoy Berries Inc. The goji berry is native to the Himalayan Mountains of Tibet and Mongolia, but it is now grown in many other countries as well. Gojis have been used for thousands of years in Tibet … Continue reading
Ever-bearing Strawberries vs. June Strawberries
This article is generously provided by Lepp Farm Market. Originally posted May 27, 2016 Did you know that there are two types of strawberries? If you’re as old as I am, then you probably remember when we only had BC … Continue reading
10 Unique Christmas Gifts from the Fraser Valley Under $20
Looking for Christmas gifts? The article below features several of our Farm Fresh member farms: Taves Family Farms Applebarn Campbell’s Gold Honey Farm and Meadery Anita’s Organic Grain and Flour Mill Hopcott Premium Meats Golden Ears Cheesecrafters Canadian Hazelnuts Inc. … Continue reading
Week of November 10 – Gift Basket from The Local Harvest
Each week, one of our Fraser Valley Farms will offer our followers the chance to win some of our amazing Fraser Valley gifts! Check back weekly! This week we will award a $25 gift basket from The Local Harvest Farm … Continue reading
Week of October 13 Social Media Prize – one-day family pass to Aldor Acres
This week’s giveaway is up on FACEBOOK – win by liking, following us on Twitter and retweeting! Get social with us! Each week, one of our Fraser Valley Farms will offer our followers the chance to win amazing Fraser Valley … Continue reading
Week of October 6 – K & M Farms $50 gift certificate towards a fresh turkey
This week’s giveaway is up on FACEBOOK – win by liking, following us on twitter, and retweeting! Get social with us! Each week, one of our Fraser Valley Farms will offer our followers the chance to win amazing Fraser Valley … Continue reading
Abbotsford Circle Farm Tour Dinner
It’s not every day that you get to sit down for dinner with the farmer who supplied the ingredients you are about to enjoy. Last week growers and producers who are members of the Abbotsford Circle Farm Tour were invited … Continue reading
Check out BC Farm Fresh farms mentioned in Vancouverscape
Last week, a group of Vancouver media and writers were invited to dine with the very farmers and wine makers that grew food and produced wine for a sumptuous, six-course long table dinner at Abbotsford’s Tanglebank Gardens and Brambles Bistro. … Continue reading
Week of September 22 Give Away – Willow View Farms’ Apples
This week’s giveaway is up on FACEBOOK – win by liking, following us on twitter and retweeting! Get social with us! Each week, one of our Fraser Valley Farms will offer our followers the chance to win amazing Fraser Valley … Continue reading
Week of September 8 give away
This week’s giveaway is up on FACEBOOK – win by liking, following us on twitter and retweeting! Get social with us! Each week, one of our Fraser Valley Farms will offer our followers the chance to win amazing Fraser Valley … Continue reading
Week of September 2 – Facebook and Twitter prizes – two dozen corn from Sparkes Corn Barn
This week’s giveaway is up on FACEBOOK – win by liking, following us on twitter and retweeting! Get social with us! Each week, one of our Fraser Valley Farms will offer our followers the chance to win amazing Fraser Valley … Continue reading
Farm Fresh: Weekly Prizes on Facebook and Twitter!
This week’s giveaway is up https://www.facebook.com/BCFarmFresh?sk=app_228910107186452 Each week, one of our Fraser Valley Farms will offer our followers the chance to win some of our amazing Fraser Valley produce! This week we were awarded some beautiful blueberries … Continue reading
Westham Island Herd Farm
Sharon Ellis Westham Island Herb Farm “It gets in your blood, this farming” said Janet Ellis. “I can’t think of anything else we would prefer to do”. “One good thing is we don’t have to face traffic every day to … Continue reading
Mary’s Garden
Mike and Ken Nootebos Mary’s Garden Mary’s Garden was started in 1966 in a little vegetable stand at the farm of Jack and Mary Nootebos. Over the years, Mary’s Garden has grown several times and now is located in it’s … Continue reading
Lepp Farm Market
Robert and Charlotte Lepp Lepp Farm Market “Fresh From the Farm to your Plate” is the standard for the Lepp Farm Market. Farming is in Rob Lepp’s blood. In 1975, his father, Henry Lepp, purchased the Matsqui property where Lepp … Continue reading
JD Farms Specialty Turkey Store
Jack and Debbie Froese JD Farms Specialty Turkey Store J.D. Farms is a family owned turkey farm in the beautiful Fraser Valley at Langley, BC. Jack and Debbie Froese grew up on farms in the Fraser Valley and continued their … Continue reading
Annie’s Orchard
Jim and Mary Ann Rahe Annie’s Orchard Prepared: August 28, 2008 “There is always something fresh off the tree” said Jim Rahe. It is this basic approach that drives the marketing philosophy of Annie’s Orchard in Langley. Basically what the … Continue reading
Orange Cream Scones With BC Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread
2 cups (500 ml) all purpose flour ¼ cup (50 ml) granulated sugar 1 Tbsp (15 ml) baking powder ½ tsp (2 ml) salt ¼ tsp (1 ml) cinnamon Finely grated peel from 1 orange ¼ cup (50 ml) cold … Continue reading
BC Strawberry Streusel Pie
Filling: 5 cups (1.25 L) BC STRAWBERRIES, washed, hulled and halved ¼ cup (50 ml) granulated sugar ¼ cup (50 ml) instant tapioca 2 Tbsp (25 ml) butter ½ tsp (2 ml) cinnamon 1 Tbsp (15 ml) fresh squeezed lemon … Continue reading
BC Strawberry Hazelnut Flan
Fresh BC strawberries and dark chocolate go together to make a mouthwatering dessert with lots of eye appeal! Crust: ¾ cup (175 ml) finely ground hazelnuts, lightly toasted 1¼ cup (300 ml) all purpose flour 3 Tbsp (45 ml) granulated … Continue reading
BC Strawberry Granola Trifle
Delicious for breakfast or served as a dessert! 2 cups (500 ml) plain low fat yogurt 1 Tbsp (15 ml) icing sugar ¼ tsp (1 ml) almond flavoring 2 cups (500 ml) good quality granola 3 cups (750 ml) BC … Continue reading
BC Strawberry Bruschetta
Fresh BC Strawberries and Brie cheese make a delightful combination for a light brunch! 1 (675 g) unsliced loaf French or Italian bread 1 lb (500g) Brie or Camembert cheese 3 cups (750 ml) BC STRAWBERRIES, washed & hulled ¼ … Continue reading
Auntie Alice’s Raspberry Cake
A delicious cake with Raspberries on top, this is a traditional recipe on the raspberry farm. It’s wonderful hot, but it’s equally delicious the next day, when the juice sets in a bit. 1/3 cup margarine 1 cup sugar 1 … Continue reading
Roasted Corn and Blueberry Relish
2 ears corn, unshucked 1 large jalapeno pepper, chopped finely ½ medium red pepper, diced ½ medium red onion, finely chopped 5 T (75 ml) lime juice 2½ T (37 ml) olive oil 2 cloves garlic ¼ cup(60 ml) cilantro, … Continue reading
Blueberry Melon Salsa
YIELD = 6 SERVINGS 2 cups 500 ml BC blueberries 1 cup 250 ml honeydew melon, diced ½ cup 125 ml red onion, diced ¼ cup 60 ml cilantro, chopped 3 Tbsp 45 ml lime juice 1 Tbsp 15 ml … Continue reading
Blueberry Marmalade
3 cups (750 ml) blueberries, fresh/frozen 3 cups (750 ml) sugar 2 limes 1 lemon
Blueberry Banana Loaf
YIELD = 12 SERVINGS 3 large bananas 2 Tbsp 30 ml buttermilk ½ cup 120 ml margarine, melted 1 cup 250 ml sugar 2 cups 500 ml flour ½ tsp 2 ml cinnamon 1 tsp 4 ml baking powder ½ … Continue reading
BC Blueberry Peach Crisp
YIELD – 12 SERVINGS 4 cups 1L BC blueberries, fresh or frozen 3 cups 750 ml peaches, fresh or frozen, peeled and cut in ½" slices 2 Tbsp 30 ml lemon juice 1 tsp 4 ml grated lemon rind ½ … Continue reading
Local Foods Focus on Safety and Quality
When you buy local foods, make sure you are also buying food quality and food safety. At Hopcott Farms, every generation since 1932 has taken pride in the farm and its products. Hopcott Premium Meats is a family-owned and run … Continue reading
Sustainability in the Kitchen
We like perfection; straight carrots and symmetrical shiny apples. However, our search for perfection has increased the use of pesticides and the amount of waste in our food system. Cosmetically challenged produce is culled and discarded. Thankfully the produce available … Continue reading
Family Farm Businesses Do Well
At Hopcott Premium Meats, we are committed to bringing our customers nothing less than what we are willing to serve our own families. Our store is located right on the farm, a farm that has been in the family since … Continue reading
The Resurgence of Canning
Canning and preserving, activities once popular with your grandmother are now becoming popular again. For this resurgence, we can thank the growing demand for fresh local foods, the interest in eliminating and reducing our carbon foot print and, mostly, … Continue reading
Best Wishes from the BC Ministry of Agriculture
The Fraser Valley Farm Fresh Guide is the go-to source for anyone interested in fresh, locally-produced foods. A diverse list of farms, markets, gardens and even wineries can all be found within its pages. Likewise, the Province’s new Agrifoods Strategy … Continue reading
2012-2013 Farm Fresh Guide Is Out!
We are happy to annouce that the new 2012 – 2013 Farm Fresh Guide is out on the streets. Don’t forget to get your copy today! We have also updated all the listings and products with www.bcfarmfresh.com for your browsing … Continue reading
Population Growth and Fraser Valley Agricultural Land
Some who live on the land here have been eating purple sprouting broccoli and digging overwintered carrots and potatoes fresh from the garden since January this year! There aren’t many places in Canada where the combination of rich soils and … Continue reading
Farm Direct Markets Aren’t For Everybody
The “good old days” when most people grew much of their own food, even canning and drying a lot of it for the winter months, are gone. The times when local independent grocers bought fresh local produce from local producers … Continue reading
Strawberries Announce Summer
But They May be Around Longer Than You Think! Nothing announces the arrival of summer quite like the taste and aroma of juicy sweet strawberries. We expect local strawberries will be available by mid-June in 2011 and the quality of … Continue reading
Fun is Part of Local Too
When you buy local food products you support local farmers. But you can have a lot of fun doing it too! One place to enjoy is Meadows Maze in Pitt Meadows. Meadows Maze is celebrating 12 years of entertaining families. … Continue reading
Pine Meadows Tree Farm Ltd.
Arthur and Tim Loewen Pine Meadows began as a 7 acre hobby farm in 1970 with Christmas trees for a U-cut/we-cut operation. Over the years more property was purchased and the operation expanded to include nursery stock. We now own … Continue reading
Willow View Farms
Murray andCheryl Siemens “We are really happy with the interest in our products this year” said Murray Siemens when asked about how his farm was doing compared to other years. “We’ve noted quite an increase in our sales from this … Continue reading
Dave’s Orchard
Dave and Sheila Ormrod Dave’s Orchard Prepared: January 7, 2010 “I guess you could say we’ve been farming for quite awhile” said Dave Ormrod, when asked about the history of his farm in Langley. “Our farm is on 216th St. … Continue reading
Maan Farms
Kris and Devinder Maan Maan Farms Prepared: 2009/11/2 “We like having people visit our farm to buy our wonderful berries and sweet corn, but also to learn more about our farm” said Devinder Maan, when asked about why her family … Continue reading
Honeybee Centre
John Gibeau Honeybee Centre Prepared: November 29, 2008 “We want everybody who works here to be able to answer your questions” said John Gibeau when asked about his farm philosophy and approach to the business. The Honeybee Centre, located on … Continue reading
K&M Farms
Mark Robbins K & M Farms Prepared: October 14, 2008 “We like to see the smiles on people’s faces after they’ve bought one of our birds and they come back for another one” said Mark Robbins of K and M … Continue reading
Campbell’s Gold Honey Farm and Meadery
Mike and Judy Campbell Campbell’s Gold Honey Farm and Meadery Prepared: August 28, 2008 “We’ve been making wine since the 1960s so I suppose having a Meadery is not such a quantum leap” said Mike Campbell, as he explained the … Continue reading
Painted River Farm
Wes and Donna Gilmore Painted River Farm Prepared: August 20, 2008 “We couldn’t imagine doing anything else” said Donna Gilmore, when asked about why she likes farming. Both Donna and Wes were raised on farms and being involved in farming … Continue reading