Fresh from the Farm

Update: This site is no longer in service.

It’s strawberry season! Or is it?

You’d think I’d be on top of what crops are ready, upcoming or gone for the season. But magazines file months in advance, which means I’m thinking Christmas pudding in July. Toss in imported veggies from all over the world and I often lose touch with the local bounty.

Seems I’m not the only one who needs a little help keeping up with the crops. The Canadian Farm Business Management Council has financed a website to connect readers with seasonal crops and the farms that grow them. While Fresh From The Farm currently focuses on Ontario and British Columbia, it’s adding to the database continually with the goal of covering all provinces.

Not sure what’s ripe for the picking? Their Find a Farm feature lets you search by city, product, keyword, farm or “fun things to do.” From wagon rides to weddings, birthday parties to bus tours, there are plenty of events beyond berry picking.

And if you get carried away and bring home more strawberries than your belly and the fridge can hold? There’s a list of recipes, storage tips and articles on preserving.

The database also covers herbs, a wide range of meats, honey and maple syrup.

So what am I doing this weekend? Stalking some wild emu.

Photo © Steve Mann | Dreamstime.com