A couple years ago I was planning an Okanagan farm tour that never actually happened. The full, mystifying, political and perhaps even mystical story is in my new book. During that time, I connected with Lisa McIntosh from Urban Harvest, a produce delivery company. She recommended some great places to see in Kelowna. So if you’re traveling to the area this summer, make note.
The Kelowna Farmers’ Market happens on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Thursday evenings. At the Okanagan Lavender Farm you can drink lavender lemonade, weave a lavender wand or learn how to make essential oil. Sunshine Farms is an organic vegetable farm that runs an on-site vocational day program for adults with mental disabilities. They also operate an organic, heirloom seed business. Little Creek Gardens is all about salad greens, distributing to restaurants, wineries, Urban Harvest and other retailers in Kelowna. They also have a very successful, on-site salad dressing business.
McCoubrey Farms is an apple and pear orchard in nearby Winfield. Bob McCoubrey is very involved in mentoring. At that time, he had a young couple operating his farm on a one-year trial basis, with the hope that they would continue farming his land on a partnership basis. He also works closely with the Central Okanagan Community Gardens Society.
You might want to visit the Environmental Education Centre in Mission Creek too; they have a nice demo garden there. Then have dinner at the Cabana Grille, it’s a Green Table restaurant with a focus on local, sustainable food.
There are a lot of good people in Kelowna working hard on food security issues. Check out the Central Okanagan Healthy Food Council and Okanagan Food for more info.