Welcome to the e-version of the Southern Vancouver Island Direct Farm Marketing Association guide to farms and farm fresh products in Greater Victoria and the Gulf Islands, the Cowichan Valley, Ladysmith, Cedar, and Oceanside (Qualicum, Parksville). Click on the menu to find when products are in season (what's in season), where you can buy them (products), and how to get to the farms you want (farms and maps). You can also find information on farmers' markets on southern and central Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands (markets). Buying local is good for you – and the environment! We'll be updating our website every month with information on special recipes using local farm products throughout the growing season and other news on our local farming community. Look for a copy of the "Farm Fresh" guide for 2008/09 at participating farm stands. |
 Click the image to download
the guide (large file 4.8 MB) |
 Rouge de Vif pumpkins from Farmer Dan Cinderella Pumpkin Soup This delicious recipe for seasonal pumpkin soup is from Dan's Farm and Country Market in Central Saanich, using his Cinderella or Rouge de Vif pumpkins.
Ingredients
4 to 5 cups chopped pumpkin (seeded and peeled) 1 large onion 2 cloves garlic 2 cups chicken broth OR vegetable broth OR water ½ cup shallots - optional 1 tsp salt 1 tbsp oil and/or butter 1 tsp pepper Pinch of each of the following depending on taste: curry, basil, thyme Optional additions to make it attractive and rich tasting Method Hayride and Castle Maze at Dan's Farm & Country Market
Bring the family to enjoy a hay ride in the pumpkin patch and wander the Castle Maze, next to Dan's Farm and Country Market on the last two weekends of October 20, 21 and October 27, 28. 10 am - 4 pm. $2. |
 Pouring for Parkinsons:
A Cidermaster's Dinner A fall harvest dinner catered by Feys and Hobbs, paired with a selection of ciders, the proceeds from which will support the Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinsons Centre.
Monday, November 19, 7 pm
at the Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, 2487 Mt. St. Michael Rd, Saanichton. Tickets: $85/person + tax. Includes food, drinks and gratuities. A $50 tax receipt will be issued.
For ticket inquiries please call 544-4824 or email info@seacider.ca
A Cidermaster’s Wassail
Enjoy a Ciderhouse party catered by Feys and Hobbs to celebrate the apple harvest. Friday, November 30, 7 to 10 p.m. at the Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, 2487 Mt. St. Michael Rd, Saanichton. For inquiries, please call 544-4824 or email info@seacider.ca
Take in Octoberfest at
Lots of family fun at Oldfield Orchard (6286 Oldfield Road) over two October weekends. Activities include hayrides, haunted house, pumpkin ring toss, hay maze, cedqar tree maze, petting farm, Tickles the Clown and Daisy & Farmer Vicky on the Kids' Stage, 4H club displays and animals, pumpkin lawn bowling, pony cart rides, U-pick pumpkin patch, "Phoenix" and Paul Hann on the Main Stage, concession – and more!Oldfield Orchard & Bakery Saturday and Sunday October 20, 21 and 27, 28 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adults $7.50 Children $5.50 Kids 2 and under FREE Family rate (2 adults, 2 kids) $23 For more information, visit the farm website at www.oldfieldorchard.ca
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 Eat Local – Save the World The 100-mile diet is a local-eating experiment you can try for yourself - click the image above to learn more.  Closer is Better: How About a
"Fresh from the Islands" Diet? Dr. Bill Code (Code's Corner Emu Farm), president of the resurgent Island Farmers' Alliance (IFA), says we should be focussed on an all-Islands diet, in support of the farming community of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Click here to read more about the "Fresh from the Islands" diet.
Island Farmers' Alliance
The annual meeting of the Island Farmers' Alliance (IFA) will be held at Providence Farm in North CowichanAnnual General Meeting on Saturday, November 3. The event will include a “Fresh from the Islands" harvest meal. A key topic of discussion will be IFA “Rooster Booster” members being eligible to serve on the IFA board of directors. Current IFA President Bill Code feels concerned consumers must be at the table for long-term success of local food, local farmers, and food security. "Fresh from the Islands" Harvest Supper A Big Success
A recent
Harvest Supper in Colwood/Langford featrung local foods was a huge succeess! Why not hold in in your community? To find out more, contact Robert Thompson at info@luxtonstationmarket.ca. |
Family Fun Day at Yellow Point Cranberries: A Day for the Whole Family! |
Bring the family down to our farm at Yellow Point Cranberries for Family Fun Day. It's a day for children of all ages to play outside, learn about farming and eat some good wholesome food. Because all children can't be out having fun this day, we are donating the proceeds of admission to the BC Children's Hospital. Come join us on Sunday, October 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on our 43-acre cranberry farm to spend the day outside. Lots of activities planned for those with short legs and even shorter attention spans! Field Tours every half hour for children of all ages. Learn all about farming and have some fun by visiting the Cranberry Learning Stations that focus on art, science, literature and the culinary arts. There are also mini yoga and dance classes, face painting, and pie eating – something for everyone.
You won't go away hungry either – enjoy delicious home made pumpkin soup with fresh corn bread. Admission $15 per family, including all activities, a small bag of fresh cranberries and a kid's cookbook.
While you're here, visit the Cranberry Cottage Preserves store. Fresh cranberries available until Christmas. For more information, visit the farm website. |
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Most recent update: October 1, 2007
Next planned update: January 1, 2008
