Farm-to-table dining has almost become a cliché in Vancouver – albeit a welcome one – but have you ever visited the actual farmers, producers and artisans themselves? A lot of them are scattered throughout the Lower Mainland and have farm stands and storefronts where you can learn about and taste their products, as well as take some home. It all can make for a fantastic edible tour on a late summer or early fall weekend. Here are a few places to check out along the way.
Urban Digs Farm Stand, Burnaby
What started as a small vegetable farm has taken on a “meatier” direction and blossomed into both an active meat and egg farm, as well as a vendor for local, sustainable meats, poultry, fruits and vegetables. The Burnaby farm stand sells pasture-raised and organic meats and eggs, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and pickles and preserves. Urban Digs also has their own butchery, so look for the housemade sausages while you feed the chickens.
4992 Byrne Rd. | 778-379-5262 | UrbanDigsFarm.com
Open Wednesday-Friday, noon-5:30pm; Saturday & Sunday, 10am-4pm.
The Farm House Natural Cheeses, Agassiz
This small family farm makes stellar cheeses from their own goats and cows, as well as artisan gelato and other tasty treats. As it’s a working farm, there are no official tours, but you can wander around at will and visit the animals, including some pot-bellied pigs and a friendly donkey, and then sample the cheeses in the store. Don’t forget to also check out the local honeys, eggs, meats, baked goods and treats.
5634 McCallum Rd. | 604-796-8741 | FarmHouseCheeses.com
Cheese shop open daily, 10am-5pm.
Birchwood Dairy Farm, Abbotsford
Over 220 acres of land house the 120 cows and almost 140 young stock that make up Birchwood Dairy. In addition to the farm, it’s also a processing plant and country store, where they make their own ice cream (up to 50 flavours). All of the hay and silage for the animals is grown on the farm as well, so it’s a true farm-to-stable operation. Try the yogurt and sour cream, as well as the feta.
1154 Fadden Rd. | 604-857-1315 | BirchwoodDairy.com
Open Monday-Wednesday, 9am-6pm; Thursday-Saturday, 9am-8pm; Sunday, 10am-8pm.
Maan Farms, Abbotsford
Berry season may be almost over, but the corn is still around, and both are in plentiful supply at this popular and family-friendly farm. Pick your own raspberries, blueberries and strawberries, take the kids to the petting zoo, and then escape for a glass or three of the estate wine. The 2013 Maan Trois is a Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, but the real draw is the amazing berry table wines, like the blackberry. Get a picnic lunch from the cafe to pair with your wine and take it on the road.
790 McKenzie Rd. | 604-864-5723 | MaanFarms.com
Open daily, 9am-6pm.
Onnink’s Blueberry Farm, Abbotsford
Yeah, it’s all about the blueberries here, which are still available, but I’m a sucker for their blueberry iced tea, which has no added sugar (it’s sweetened instead with a bit of the farm’s own honey) and is a non-alcoholic and completely refreshing quaff. Their blueberry-infused chocolate truffles are also worth trying, especially the blueberry-citrus.
30151 Downes Rd. | 604-856-1465 | OnninksBlueberryFarm.com
Open Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm
Vista d’Oro Farms and Winery, Langley
Acclaimed for their preserves, the good folks behind Vista d’Oro have become equally famous for their fortified walnut wine, their apple cider, and their table wines, all made from the fruits (or nuts) grown on the estate. Their seasonal preserves include such wonders as the fig and walnut wine, apricot tarragon and Riesling, and the pear and Pinot Noir. They also now expanded to offer a couple of salsas made on-site as well.
346 – 208th St. | 604-514-3539 | VistaDoro.com
Open Thursday-Sunday, 11am-5pm
Hopcott Farms and Meadows Maze, Pitt Meadows
In operation since 1932 as a dairy farm, and then a cattle farm and butcher shop in 1957, Hopcott Farms today is one of the oldest meat farms and butcher shops in the province. Their dry-aged beef (up to 28 days) is processed on site, and all of their meat is GMO-, hormone- and additive-free. The cattle are fed a vegetarian diet and are born on one of three ranches in the Interior. Since the farm is right next door to the store, you can saunter over and see the cows for yourself before heading into the shop to check out the meat, poultry and deli items. Sausages, bacon and smoked meats are all made in-house, and the shop also carries local produce and artisan goods from its neighbours. For a little extra fun, visit the Meadows Maze with the kids or on your own and get lost for an afternoon in one of the three graduated corn mazes on site every late summer and fall. Don’t forget to check out the old-fashioned fudge made on-site as well.
18385 Old Dewdney Trunk Rd. | 604-465-7799 | HopcottMeats.ca
13672 Reichenbach Rd. | 604-460-0603 | MeadowsMaze.com
Circle Farm Tour
Looking for more places to visit? Check out Circle Farm Tour for spots to check out throughout the Fraser Valley.
Anya Levykh is a freelance food, drink and travel writer who covers all things ingestible. Find her on Twitter and Instagram @foodgirlfriday.
