Burnaby: SFU Value Harvest Box

Are you tired of all of the plastic bags that you get? I am.  Especially after watching the documentary "Addicted to Plastic" which is one man's two year journey to discover how plastic affects us and the world around us.

One small step that you can take is to participate in a local harvest box.  A harvest box program supports the local community and you get to receive at least 7 types of vegetables and fruits.  Also, what I noticed when I picked up my harvest box is that they ask you to bring your own reusable bag - no plastic! 

I was quite happy with my SFU Value Harvest Box that I picked up today.  Here's what I received in my "Value" box for $8.50.  Carrots, onions, green peppers, potatoes, apples, oranges, grapes and spinach.  Quite a variety!  It's perfect because I shop for two and it gives us a little bit of everything! 

If you like what you see, they have one more order in December before the semester ends. Click here to order by December 1st for December 8th pick up: http://sfulocalfood.ca/projects/sfu-harvest-box/order-now

Vancouver: Winter Farmer's Market

Summer is over and Winter is here.  It's getting colder and the rainy overcast weather has arrived.  During these dark days, you can still bring life back to your kitchen with buying local produce and vegetables a the Vancouver Winter's Farmer's Market.

You have lots of time because it's every Saturday from 10am - 2pm at Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver until April 28, 2012.  (Closed for Christmas on Dec 24 & 31)



I always find the food tastes better when I cook with local produce.  Taste gives it the good value. I can't wait to go and check it out!  Tell me all about it if you beat the winter blues and beat me to it.  Bring the colours, flavours and taste to your warm kitchen!

Burnaby: SFU Harvest Box

The Canada Food Guide recommends 8 servings of fruits and vegetables everyday.  This is easy to do in the summer when fresh fruit and vegetables are plentiful.  If you didn't freeze or can your summer fruit, then it's a bit tougher in the winter.
Just like everyone else I like to save time.  I want the best selection all in one place.  So that's why I like the SFU Harvest Box .  This program does the thinking for me.  You can order a local box for $8.50 and they choose 7 or more types of fruits and vegetables for you.  You just bring a cloth bag and pick up on the date specified.  It's perfect for me because I work at SFU Burnaby. This is a great way to support the local community and get out of the office.  No need to go to the grocery store on the way home, dinner's in the bag.

Vancouver: Trout Lake Farmer's Market in October

It was a sunny day in October and I returned to Trout Lake Farmer's Market.  I love the selection and the atmosphere there.  The stalls are close together and there is a liveliness to the market that keeps me going back.  Every time I find something new.  This time I brought my partner and he was the one who discovered "The Bread Affair." We bought a loaf and I thought we bought Almond Quinoi, but I've eaten half of the bread and it tastes like figs or apricots are inside it.  It is absolutely amazing!  Fresh bread is the best!  There is a wholesomeness to it that makes me feel less guilty.  Today was not a good day to go gluten-free for me.

 Next week October 22nd is the last day of the Trout Lake Farmer's Market.  I will miss it!

What did I buy at the Farmer's Market in October?  
-loaf of artisan bread $7
- 3 boxes of raspberries $10
-2 small containers of plums $4.50
-2 eggplants $3, bunch of carrots $1.50, swiss red chard $2
-container of large cherry tomatoes $3
-bag salad mix ~$3

Vancouver: Trout Lake Farmer's Market in August

I can't believe that the last time I visited the Trout Lake Farmer's Market was in May at the beginning of the season.  After a long cross country road trip, I craved local and fresh produce and food.  Off I went to the Trout Lake Farmer's Market in August.

It was a beautiful Saturday morning and it was a nice walk from Broadway/Commercial Skytrain Station to the market.  I knew I was heading in the right direction because I could see people walking with their grocery bags full.  And it was packed already at 11am!  There were more vendors and the more selection of produce than in May.  Such a different place.  I was armed with cash and knew what I was looking for which helped a lot.  Lots of variety to choose from. 

What did I buy?
*Button mushrooms & 2 mini portobello mushrooms $4
*Bunch of carrots $2
*Bag of nugget potatoes $3
*3 boxes of strawberries and blueberries - $10 for 3 boxes
*Handful of cherry tomatoes - $3
*Mixed bag of salad green - mix and match $3.75/bag
*Three types of cheese - Berry Creme Fraiche, Qualicum Spice, Cowboy Cheese $20 
*Pork cutlets and Farmer's sausage $10

Vancouver: Trout Lake Farmer's Market

Spring showers are here but it brings with it the season for farmer's markets.  Today I went to one of the Vancouver Farmer's Markets.  It was the Trout Lake Farmer's Market to see what it was like and what I would be able to buy.  It is quite a community of tents featuring local produce, meat, dairy, food trucks, plants and herbs, and more.  They had musicians playing and it was packed and busy even though it was raining.

I had heard about the "cheese place" and then read further that the local cheese here from Vancouver Island has the best brie.  The place is Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and people were lining up to get their taste of cheese and bring a few packs home.  They had a special of 2 for $15.  That sold me for their bestseller Island Brie Cheese. 


After browsing and looking longingly at the lettuce bowls, I decided not to buy one and instead I ended the Trout Lake Farmer's Market trip with the following: 1 basket of strawberries ($4/basket for 3 or more - I went with a friend who bought the other 2), crimini mushrooms ($2 for 8oz - rest of mushrooms are in the bag), dozen eggs ($5/carton), 1 cucumber $1.75, handful of cherry tomatoes $1.95 and the Island Brie Cheese. 

It's just the beginning of the Vancouver Farmer's Market season.  Trout Lake Farmer's Market is every Saturday from 9am - 2pm between Templeton and Lakewood south of the 13th Avenue Alley until October 22nd.