B.C. has mild, warm weather and long summers that make it perfect for farming culture. You’ll see local B.C. produce at farmers’ markets and in grocery stores (both corporate and boutique). If you’re visiting British Columbia, say at one of Breakaway Vacations‘ luxury vacation cottages and rental, you might even get the chance to pick these products up right from the source!
Here are 4 local B.C. produce and products to look for while you’re here.
Donia Farms’ Grass-Fed Milk, Butter, and Yogurt
Donia Farms is a third-generation family farm located in South Surrey, near Vancouver. Their website is packed with love, carefully detailing the special ways they care for their animals, what they feed livestock, and recipes to use with their produce. Their logo is an iconic staple in Canadian supermarkets: a calm bovine bent down, feeding. They specialize in grass-fed milk-based products, including milk, butter and yogurt.
BCB Honey Farm’s Raw, Clover, and Raspberry Honey
BCB Honey Farms is also located in Surrey, B.C., and makes an appearance at many of the local farmer’s markets around the greater city area, like the West End Farmers Market and Kitsilano Farmers Market. Not only are they dedicated to providing delicious, raw honey, but their mission statement also includes a desire to foster a healthy bee population for generations to come. They make regular honey or flavoured honey, including clover and raspberry varieties.
Morningstar Farm’s Little Qualicum Cheeseworks
B.C. actually has many cheese makers scattered throughout the province. If you’re visiting the Islands, including the Parksville area, you might want to check out Morningstar Farm’s and/or Little Qualicum Cheeseworks. Morningstar Farms is a 90-acre dairy farm that specializes in Swiss-style artisan cheese. They now offer many varieties, like bleu claire, caerphilly, caraway jill, curds. Feta, island brie, and more. Their produce is sold in many locations across Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, and the Sunshine Coast—the details of which are listed on their website.
Sirene Chocolate Bars and Cocoa Powder
Some things we just can’t grow in B.C….like cocoa beans. However, there are local companies dedicated to ethically sourcing ingredients before putting them to work in a Canadian kitchen. Sirene Chocolate sources their beans from Guatemala, Tanzania, Ecuador, Peru, Uganda, and Mexico. Once they get their hands on the beans, they turn them into delicious bars and powder in their custom chocolate workshop located in Victoria, B.C.
Have you tried any local B.C. produce or products that you want to scream about from the rooftops? We hope so! If not, come stay with us at Breakaway Vacations‘ and we’re sure you’ll find what you’re looking for in the bustling local markets.
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