Fresh F - Comox Valley Tourism

2011 Comox Valley Growers Guide
meSSaGe From The
Minister of Agriculture
British Columbians are more excited about
agriculture than ever before, and are always looking
to share local flavours and foods with our families.
When it comes to eating local, few are more fortunate
than those living or visiting the Comox Valley. Here,
we think of farms as part of our neighbourhoods, and
begin to associate the goodness and taste of local
products with home at an early age.
Visitors come to the Comox Valley for the natural
beauty, outdoor activities, friendly people and overall
lifestyle. But they also come for our food, our meals,
and our unique flavours. Food and farming is a key
element of tourism in British Columbia. Many visitors
include a trip to a farm, winery or food artisan as part
of their holiday, and virtually all leave with local food
or beverages as souvenirs and gifts in their luggage.
The 2011 Comox Valley Growers Guide profiles
the people who grow and make the food we enjoy. I
encourage you to visit the producers featured in the
following pages, whether you’re looking for weekly
groceries, inspiration for a new recipe or meal, a
family outing, or a tasty theme for a visit or tour of
the Comox Valley.
Did you know that B.C. is Canada’s leader in
agricultural diversity, with more than 225 farm
products? A quick look through the Guide highlights
the diversity of foods grown and prepared here in
the Comox Valley. Just imagine what a Comox Valley
feast could look like: the ripest and juiciest berries
and fruits, farm-fresh vegetables from asparagus
to zucchini, poultry, beef, lamb, pork, bison and
venison, shellfish and seafood delights, honey, herbs,
wine, cheese, fresh flowers and so much more!
Food grown in the Comox Valley does more than just
support our families’ health, it supports our economy
and is part of an agri-food industry that generates
proud supporter of
Local Farms!
DO N MCRA E, MLA COM O X VAL L E Y, MINISTER O F AG R I C U LT U R E
437 Fifth Street, Courtenay Tel: (250) 703-2422 Fax: (250) 703-2425
don.mcrae.mla@leg.bc.ca www.donmcraemla.bc.ca
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close to $7 billion in economic activity annually and
employs over 64,000 people in British Columbia.
On behalf of the Province and all British
Columbians, I want to thank our hard-working
producers and processors for continuing to provide
healthy, great tasting food for our meals, and for
creating jobs and incomes in our communities.
And finally for those readers who are visiting the
Comox Valley, welcome! No trip to the area would
be complete without tasting the local delicacies.
This guide offers a long list of opportunities to meet
local food producers and enjoy the many flavours the
Comox Valley has to offer. Bon Appetit!
Hon. Don McRae
Minister of Agriculture