Welcome to the e-version of the Southern Vancouver Island Direct Farm Marketing Association guide to farms and farm fresh products in Greater Victoria and the Gulf Islands, the Cowichan Valley, Ladysmith, Cedar, and Oceanside (Qualicum, Parksville).

Click on the menu to find when products are in season (what's in season), where you can buy them (products), and how to get to the farms you want (farms and maps). You can also find information on farmers' markets on southern and central Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands (markets).

Buying local is good for you – and the environment! We'll be updating our website every month with information on special recipes using local farm products throughout the growing season and other news on our local farming community.

Look for a copy of the "Farm Fresh" guide for 2009/10 at participating farm stands.

Even though the major growing season is over, some farms have fresh and frozen products to flavour the holiday season. What would dinner be without fresh green salad? Look for salad greens available at Kildara Farms. There's lots of savoury winter squash available at Dan's Farm, too. And don't forget our seasonal farourite Brussels sprouts on the stem, which you'll find at Michell Bros. Farm and Dan's Farm.



Why not make your seasonal pumpkin pie from scratch this year? Kildara Farms reports they have pie pumpkins, as well as cooking apples at Kildara Farms, Dan's Farm and Rosemeade Farms. And talking about dessert, check out local farms for frozen berries, including strawberies, raspberries and blueberries (Phil's Farm, Dan's Farm, Meadowbrook Farm). Pamela Fox of Silver Rill Berry Farm has frozen black currants as well. For apples, kiwis and pears, visit Dan's Farm on Oldfield Road. Other roots crops are also available, including carrots, turnips and potatotes.



Many farms produce and sell value-added products that spice up the holiday season. Little Qualicum Cheeseworks offers a wide variety of cheeses - you can find their products in stores in the Duncan and Victoria areas, too. Preserves also add taste to the season – Silver Rill Berry Farm sells black currant jelly and jams, as well as yummy black currant concentrate. Yellow Point Cranberries offers a variety of cranberry-based preserves as well. Babe's Honey Farm has – you guessed it – honey, as well as honey balsamic vinegar! These products make great gifts for your friends and family, too!

Several farms also report they have locally-raised meat for sale. On the Peninsula, Kildara Farms has fresh frozen roasting chickens. Phil's Farm also has a supply of frozen chickens, and nearby, Dan's Farm is selling pasture-raised beef.

Several of our members produce wines and ciders, including Starling Lane Winery and Sea Cider Farm and Cidery on the Saanich Peninsula, Merridale Ciderworks in Cobble Hill (look for their brandy, too!) and the Mooberry Winery at Morningstar Farm in Parksville. And don't forget that many farms sell non-alcoholic apple juice pressed by Phil's Farm (ultraviolet non-thermal pasteurized), including Dan's Farm and Kildara Farm on the Saanich Peninsula, and Blue Haze Farm in Metchosin. Silver Rill Berry Farm's black currant concentrate makes a great base for many holiday drinks!

Cartref Gardens is looking forward to bringing beauty to your Christmas with its selection of evergreen wreaths, swags and table arrangements with candles. Wreaths and arrangements of different sizes and styles. Come see the grand display December 12 and 13 at 1340 Munro Road in North Saanich. Ordering ahead recommended:
Call 250-655-1940 or email ebthomas@shaw.ca to place your order and get directions.

When you're shopping for a Christmas tree, how about visiting one of our local farms to purchase your tree and Christmas greens? You'll find a great collection of Christmas trees at Saanichton Christmas Tree Farm and Jingle Bell Christmas Tree Farm in Saanichton, Woodstock Evergreens in Brentwood Bay, and the Roost Farm Centre in North Saanich. Meadowbrook Farm near Prospect Lake in Saanich offers U-cut trees for $25 to $60. Yellow Point Cranberries also has Christmas trees for sale.

Saanichton Christmas Tree Farm and Woodstock Evergreens also sell holly, boughs, swags and wreaths. You can also get fresh cut holly and boughs at Rosemeade Farms in Central Saanich, Cartref Gardens in North Saanich and fresh-cut holly, salal and cedar boughs at Abby Lane Farm in the Cowichan Valley. For a special gift of holly, consider Blue Haze Farm in Metchosin: "A nice gift for the friend, relative or customer in the cold country where holly does not grow. Our one and a half pound gift box is sent all over Canada and USA. Check <hollychristmas.com> for details as prices vary depending on destination."

Merridale – a place where friends get together! Open 7 days a week up to January 3. Cider bar open for tastings of food and beverages, so you can sip, sample, and then shop from 10:30-5:00. la Pommeraie bistro open for lunch and Sunday Brunch. Orchard Spa  Open for your relaxation 7 days a week (please phone for an appointment).
Sunday Brunch  During December, we will be serving brunch on Sundays and opening a little earlier for breakfast lovers (regular menu available)!
Culinary Entertaining  We have gourmet culinary food to complement any festive dinner table or to put under your tree – liver pate, drunken apricots, cider pickled onions, and red onion marmalade are just a few of our palate pleasers.
Festive Baking   Need help with Christmas baking? Our baker, Alain Boisseau, has you covered! Order online and we'll make sure your baked goods are ready for pickup. Food to Go   If the Christmas preparations have you on the go, pick up some comfort food from our retail store!