Harvest Season in the Southern Gulf Islands
Harvest Season in the Southern Gulf Islands
As the summer's warmth gives way to the embrace of autumn, the Southern Gulf Islands come alive with the vibrant colours of fall and an abundance of seasonal treasures. From lively farmer's markets and charming farm stands to fall fairs and apple festivals, the islands proudly showcase their rich agricultural heritage. Here, food enthusiasts and wanderers alike can indulge in offerings from dedicated local food producers who capture the best of autumn's harvest.
Events
Saturday, August 19th will bring the impressive 97th annual Mayne Island Fall Fair. The whole family will enjoy a day of classic fair fun, with exhibits, entertainment, a parade, prizes and more.
The Salt Spring Island Fall Fair will run September 9th & 10th, with the theme of “Blue Jeans and Healthy Greens.” With so many exhibits and activities, they’ve put together an entire catalogue so you can plan your visit around experiencing as much of the fair as possible. A couple weeks later The Crisp takes place, a community festival on Pender Island on September 22nd & 23rd. It celebrates music, poetry and storytelling, organized alongside art activities, apple activities, and instructional workshops regarding farming sustainability and environmental projects.
Speaking of apples, you’ll want to add the Salt Spring Apple Festival on October 1st to your calendar. Each year it attracts around 1500 apple lovers and connects them with the farms and farmers that work so hard to produce the crispy fruit.
Farms & Farm Stands
On Pender Island, Ohana Farms sells vegetables, fruit, free-run eggs and specialty cut flowers out of their roadside farm stand. Using only organic practices, they are committed to being responsible stewards of their land and protecting its biodiversity and natural systems. Also on Pender Island, Raven Rock Farm is known for producing fresh, pesticide-free produce. They sell their produce, plants and provisions at their farm stand—which is also the meeting point for their guided farm tours.
Stowel Lake Farm (pictured left) on Salt Spring Island is an organic farm that not only sells produce at their farm stand, but is also a retreat centre. The retreat kitchen is home to farm-to-table cuisine that is the heart of their community programs, courses, camps and workshops. Salt Spring is also home to Earth Candy Farm, a small family farm that sells organic and fair produce, specialty cut flowers and other natural foods at their farm shop.
And over on Galiano Island, Cable Bay Farm also prides themselves on producing organic products. They use innovative RainFlo farming equipment to grow their luscious crops while conserving water.
Food Producers
Woodshed Provisions on Salt Spring Island is a must-visit to pick up seasonally inspired gourmet food, including hearty soups and baked goods. On Galiano Island, Oxeye is a modern Pacific North West café celebrating the bounty of the region by creating menus that change with the season in collaboration with local artisans and growers.(photo right, credit @sydwooward_) Saturna Island is home to the new Sage Hayward Vineyards; the stunning winery located between the sea and the trees has revitalised the fields and community with their wine and bistro.
Truss Farm Food on Pender Island has the unique identity of representing both a grocery store and a food truck. The grocery store is open six days a week, and the food truck can be found serving up customers at Sea Star Vineyards. On Mayne Island, the family-run Farm Gate Store has positioned themselves as the one-stop-shop for all things food—from fresh deli meals to warm baking to all the grocery essentials. If you’re looking for shop with it all on Pender Island, look up Southridge Country Store. They source from local, ethical and organic suppliers and also sell house-made sandwiches, soups, sauces and take-home entrees.
Farmers' Markets
Open Saturdays from 10am to 1pm, the Mayne Island Farmers’ Market is an outdoor grocery event that takes place from May long weekend through Thanksgiving weekend. Open the same dates on Galiano Island on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm is the Galiano Saturday Market. And in July and August, the Saturna Saturday Market takes place in the parking lot at the Saturna General Store from 10am to 1pm.
There are also markets that run during the week, like the Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers Market. Open every Tuesday from May 30th to the end of October, they offer shopping hours from 1:30pm to 5:30pm. On Pender Island, Wednesday Farmers Market has been running since 2020. They’re open from 3pm to 6pm in the summer, and from 3pm to 5pm in the fall and winter.
