Farm to fork: Getting in touch with your food in Edmonton
More and more, people want to know: Where is my food coming from? Farm-to-fork culture is about making more informed choices about what we’re consuming. In Edmonton, it’s becoming easier to interact with local producers and build something that’s been largely missing on the food scene for some time - an authentic relationship with those who have dedicated themselves to providing our communities with local, quality food.
12 Acres Farm
58530 Range Rd 272, Pickardville, AB T0G 1W012 Acres Farm, which is located approximately 30 minutes north of St. Albert, is run by a family who is committed to providing customers with “pasture raised, natural meat.” People can visit the farm to see the conditions in which the animals live and are able to purchase meat straight from 12 Acres’ on-site butcher shop. Also available are weekly specials, large-order freezer packs and raw dog food. 12 Acres Farm is also the primary food producer behind the farm-to-fork concept of a popular St. Albert eatery, 12 Acres Restaurant.
Gold Forest Grains
This small family farm, located in Sturgeon County (north of St. Albert) specializes in producing certified organic flour and whole-grain products. Gold Forest Grains provides its customers with not only the best flour (that’s milled daily) but also offers people the chance to purchase their specialty items, such as the “world’s best pancake mix,” flax, rolled oats and a wide variety of other specialty grains and flours from the farm. Bulk sales are also available.
Organic Box Ltd
5712 59 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6B 3L4By just looking at the name, you’ve probably guessed what the Organic Box is all about - organic food! This family run business is set up so that people who want to eat locally grown, organic food can do so, but in a way that is very convenient. Under a monthly subscription service, customers can sign up for one of several ‘box options,’ which are delivered once a week, directly to your door. Customers can view in advance what items will be included in next week’s delivery and swap out things they don’t want for ones they do. Trail-membership available.
Sunworks Farm (2013) Ltd
Though the Sunworks farm is located about 40 kms southeast of Edmonton, you can conveniently purchase their certified organic meat and egg products right in the City of Edmonton at their meat shop, which is located not far from the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market. The Sunworks Organic Meat Shop sells turkey and chicken, beef, bison and lamb; also available are free range eggs. Sunworks has been in the business of raising certified organic animals since 1997, and can also be found manning a booth at various farmers’ markets throughout the region.
University of Alberta
118 Street and 60th Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1The University of Alberta runs a heritage chicken program where people can ‘adopt a chicken’ for a season- participants can expect a dozen eggs, once every two weeks (which they pick up straight from the U of A Poultry Research Centre). The program is all about choices, with several chicken breeds available to choose from, from the basic white leghorns to a plymouth rock chicken or light sussex variety.
Greens Eggs & Ham
Not far from the Edmonton International Airport, the Greens Eggs & Ham Farm is a specialty producer of unusual and heritage variety vegetables and protein (e.g. duck and free range turkey, Cornish hens, guinea fowl, et cetera.). Driving the point home on the importance of connecting with those who produce your food, Greens Eggs & Ham asks on their website, “You have a doctor, you have a banker, you have an accountant … who is your farmer?”
The Cheese Factory
8943 82 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6C 0Z2Part restaurant, part cheese maker, The Cheese Factory has been operating in the City of Edmonton since 1999. You can buy daily-prepared cheese curds at their shop and other specialty cheese items such as: beer cheese, kajmak, European-style buttermilk and more. If you can’t make it directly to The Cheese Factory, look for them at the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market.
Blush Lane Organics
8135 102 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 4A4Edmonton’s Blush Lane Organic Market operates with one thing in mind - to provide people with the opportunity to “cultivate a healthy life.” This market aims to sell certified organic produce directly from local farms at affordable prices. Blush Lane also boasts a stock of vegan friendly, gluten free and raw products. See their website for a list of some of the upcoming classes they offer and local community organizations they support.
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