To me, summers on Vancouver Island are emblematic of farmers markets, packed with local produce, patio season and afternoons spent on the beach, enjoying a picnic lunch.
As the leaves begin to change and we welcome the arrival of autumn and the harvests of many B.C. fruits and vegetables, I also wanted to share some lesser-known products from Vancouver Island that feature in fall meals at my home.
They are all part of the BuyBC program, which helps consumers recognize local foods through labels and marketing, making over 3000 participating products easy to identify and are a shortcut to exploring unique products and flavours from the province and island.
I have many happy memories of my childhood on Quadra Island. Large kelp plants, which would wash up on the shoreline would be used to decorate our sandcastles or feature in our beach games, but kelp is also a key part of coastal diets around the world and can easily be added to yours too.
Kelp is high in vitamin K and folate content, gluten free and low in cholesterol. Kelp flakes are a great flavor addition to soups, stews and salads. Kove Ocean Foods by Cascadia Seaweed harvests their kelp from the pristine waters surrounding Vancouver Island and works with local First Nations communities to ensure that not only are these nutrient-dense additions to food healthy, but also sustainably harvested and processed.
In addition to enjoying the great meat and seafood products Vancouver Island has to offer, British Columbians looking to add more plants to their diet can find island-grown microgreens like those found at A&S Microgreens in Cobble Hill.
Often seen as a garnish due to their small, delicate appearance, microgreens are an easy and versatile addition to any meal.
As baby plants, they have a concentrated nutrient content including potassium, iron, zinc and magnesium including a host of minerals and boast a subtle, earthy flavor. Sprinkle them on your morning toast, salad, atop soups and even blitzed into smoothies and juices for added value.
My favorite fall activities – gathering with family and friends, long walks in the crisp weather and enjoying a good book – all have one thing in common, they all feature a comforting cup of tea.
Westholme Tea Company, Canada’s first and only organic tea grower is creating delicious and fragrant teas right here on Vancouver Island. Having discovered a unique micro-climate on their Cowichan Valley farm, Westholme Tea Company planted some seedlings hoping they would take and a year later, an island and indeed a Canada first was born.
With the wide range of offerings from the island, there are lots of options to support our farmers, with products that cater to both traditional and adventurous palates.
As we go into the next part of the year, I encourage you to support Vancouver Island and B.C. producers by seeking out products with the distinctive BuyBC logo.
By buying BC, you are supporting our food security and food economy in British Columbia. To register your business, discover B.C. products, recipe ideas and all the flavours of our province visit us at https://buybc.gov.bc.ca/ or follow us at @eatdrinkbuybc on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Lana Popham
Minister of Agriculture and Food
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