MyWestworld

Calling All Foodies

Posted on 12. May, 2009 by Anne Rose in BC

The Circle Farm Tour concept was originally created by farmers in the Harrison-Agassiz region of the Fraser Valley, and soon spread throughout B.C.

These circle tours are essentially self-guided roadtrips with suggested stops – from gardens, herb farms, open-air markets and farm-gate vendors and eateries to heritage sites, fairs, cheesemakers and hazelnut orchards. The idea is to  visit multiple farms in a single day (or two) and enjoy the best each has to offer. At each destination, samplings, tastings and behind-the-scenes tours may also be offered.

Participating regions include:

• Langley
• Mission
• Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows
• Chilliwack
• Abbotsford
• Harrison / Agassiz

All of which are 30 to 90 minutes away from downtown Vancouver.

I recently checked out the Harrison/Agassiz Circle Farm Tour, which wends across the mountain-rimmed countryside to the amazing Tulips of the Valley Festival. (Unfortunately, there’s a super-short timeframe for catching this orgy of colour due to the greenhouse/tulip lifecycle.) From there I zipped over to historic Kilby, on to  Farm House Natural Cheeses,  Limbert Mountain Farm, the Back Porch (for pottery & roasted coffee) and, finally, Canadian Hazelnuts. And I came home loaded with local goodies, from chili-pepper-lime dark chocolate to rooibos tea and beer-nut hazelnuts. My only regret was not stopping in to pick up some Farm House cheddar, which is currently enjoying legendary status among restaurant-goers in Vancouver.

You can download brochures for each tour online to plan your day accordingly. Or, contact any of the stops by phone or email ahead of time to arrange tours upon arrival.

Tags: Agassiz, Food & Wine