“With this year’s better spring, Island-grown produce should be arriving earlier than usual!” says Simon Fowler from the Direct Farm Marketing Association.
For residents and visitors hoping to get their hands on delicious produce and locally made products from Island farmers, life just got easier. The 36th edition of the Island Farm Fresh Guide is here to help connect shoppers with local farms! The Southern Vancouver Island Direct Farm Marketing Association currently represents over 50 farms on the Southern Island and surrounding Gulf Islands, and has been creating the guide since 1987.
“While the guide has been around for over 30 years, the main goal behind the Island Farm Fresh Guide has remained the same,” Fowler says. “Connect residents with Island farmers and make local products easier to find — because nothing tastes better than locally grown produce and farm fresh products.”
Inside the guide, residents can expect to find directions to each farm, a list of unique offerings, information regarding upcoming farmers’ markets, pictures and what’s expected to be in season each month. The guide is also available online at islandfarmfresh.com, where you’ll also find a more interactive version of the ‘What’s in season’ section of the guide.
“Farmers are feeling very optimistic with this year’s crops so far,” says Fowler. “The wet but mild spring followed by these early summer conditions is resulting in optimal growth and most likely early harvests all across the Southern Island and surrounding Gulf Islands.”
The Southern Vancouver Island Farm Marketing Association has also welcomed new members this past year, and new members means new products for residents to look forward to.
“We are very fortunate on the island with the wide variety of products that are produced locally, and we’re always looking to welcome new farmers to the association,” Fowler says. “Our membership offers local farmers the best deal around for marketing, and other perks like exclusive access to the agriculture vending section of the Saanich Fair.”
Those interested in joining the Southern Vancouver Island Direct Farm Marketing Association can do so by emailing info@islandfarmfresh.com.
This year’s Island Farm Fresh Guide will be coming to local businesses and local farms soon! It can also be found in this week’s editions of Black Press Media community newspapers around the region, including: Victoria News, Saanich News, Oak Bay News, Goldstream Gazette, Peninsula News Review, Sooke News Mirror and the Cowichan Valley Citizen.