Delta's Golden Fall Harvest

As the leaves turn golden and the air crisp, Delta comes alive with vibrant colours and rich flavours of the fall harvest. This agricultural heartland, comprising Ladner, North Delta, and Tsawwassen, has long been known for its fertile soil and thriving farming community. Let's explore what makes Delta's fall harvest so special and why supporting local, seasonal produce is impactful on both our health and our environment.

What's Growing in Delta?

Let's first talk about what's growing here. Delta's unique climate and rich soil make it ideal for growing a variety of crops throughout the year. During the fall harvest, you can expect to find:

Potatoes: A staple crop here, with varieties ranging from Yukon Gold to Russet. Fun fact: every year White Spot buys close to 5,000,000 pounds of Kennebec potatoes grown right here in Delta, BC!

Squash: Yes - pumpkins are part of this family, along with butternut squash and acorn squash.

Cranberries: Known for cranberry bogs, which flood for harvest in the fall, East Ladner is also home to the B.C. Cranberry Research Farm.

Cabbage and Brussels Sprouts: These cruciferous vegetables thrive in our cool fall weather.

Root vegetables: Carrots, beets, and parsnips are abundant at all of our local farm stands and markets.

Consuming locally grown produce often means fresher, more nutrient-dense food. Veggies and fruits grown locally spend less time in transit and storage, preserving their nutritional value. Eating seasonally and locally can increase the variety in your diet, providing a wider range of essential vitamins and minerals to support overall health- making supporting local farms a win-win for everyone!

How to Enjoy Delta's Fall Harvest

Celebrate the abundance of our local harvest. Whether it's at your favourite grocery store or directly from a farm stand, choosing locally grown produce and locally made infused products, is not only a treat for our taste buds but also supports our community and helps preserve the agricultural legacy of this beautiful region. Here are a few ways you can support our local farms:

Shop Farm Stands: We're lucky to live a farm-to-table lifestyle year-round, long after our weekend farmers' markets end their season. Through CSA box support or shopping directly from a farm stand, like Emma Lea Farms, SchoolHouse Farm, Westham Island Herb Farm, and Cropthorne, we can continue to enjoy the fruits of our farmer's labour, year-round. Keep in mind that they're open, but likely not as regularly as in summer months, so follow each farm on social or check in for farm stand times.

Get Dirty: Many local farms offer tours during harvest season, offer U-Pick opportunities, and field trips - especially during pumpkin patch season - so you can participate and learn about the grow cycle.

Eat Local Dishes Many Delta eateries feature seasonal, locally sourced menus. Il Posto's salads are infused with local radishes, heirloom tomatoes, and fresh ingredients grown within 50 km, while Barnside Brewery's Cranberry Tart Ale features Delta-grown stevens cranberries. The new kids on the block, Four Winds Beach House also feature various Southlands ingredients, grown on their doorstep.

As you savour the infused delights and seasonal offerings of Delta this fall, remember that each bite not only tastes good but does good, supporting our local economy. Let's make this autumn a celebration of Delta's flavours, one meal at a time.