Last Sunday, I spent a wonderful afternoon at Southlands Farms Market, where Jordan Maynard and family run a neighbourhood farm-gate business in the middle of Vancouver’s urban horse country. All the veggies, fruit and eggs produced on the farm are pesticide free. I couldn’t help thinking that access to unlimited quantities of horse manure must be a big factor in producing such bounty. This not your average market: it brings together the whole community through food. A neighbour was selling her fabulous homemade pies, cookies and jams. While a young man on a bicycle from down the block brought a bag of his tomatoes and green beans to sell and left with three red laying hens that Jordan had for sale.

I served Amelia Oil on my homemade focaccia. It seemed the perfect accompaniment to all the fabulous tomatoes and squash in season now. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and felt like I was miles away in the countryside, not minutes from downtown. This small operation is really devoted to sustainable urban agriculture and has a CSA program in place. I encourage you to check it out and explore the area.

Our oil will now be available at Southlands Farms Market at 53rd and Blenheim now open Wednesday 4-6pm and Sundays 12-3pm.