Farms & Local Produce
As you drive around the island you can enjoy the lush growth and pastoral lands with many beautiful vistas.
The island is well know for its many fine products and the wide range of Organic farms. Salt spring lamb is world renowned, requested by the Queen when she dined at the Empress on her Royal tour to Victoria. Rose Hill Farm, located at the north end of the island on Sunset Drive (see studio tour map) has an ample supply of lamb available in your preferred cut throughout the year. If you are a lamb lover, you will want to give it a try.
Fresh farm eggs and flowers are displayed on the many “honour stands” located all over the island. In season, fresh vegetables, plums, apples, pears are tempting treats — some stands also have preserves and home baking for sale as well. Just remember to deposit your payment in the money box.
Salt Spring Cheese, located on Reynolds Road (see studio tour map) is owned and operated by David Wood. His farm, featuring a sampling shop with all their products for sale is worth a visit….. they specialize in goat and sheep cheeses along with tasty complimentary products. It’s a great stop on your way to Ruckle Park for a picnic.
Salt Spring is an island for all seasons but the Spring is a particularly splendid time of year. The roadsides are adorned in the many shades of pinks and whites with the orchards in full bloom. It is not unusual to see a new lamb frolicking in the pastures as the sheep graze on the fresh tender grasses. The trees are bursting with new buds and the Saturday Market opens the first weekend in April.
Fall Fair, the third weekend in September, is the largest community event of the year and locals and visitors alike enjoy the many exhibits and festivities.
We have a health food store, Salt Spring Natureworks, located on the main street in Ganges, that has a large variety of specialty foods for the health conscious shopper. There are two fresh seafood stores, The Fishery and Admirals Specialty Foods, both located in Ganges as well.
The island shares a wealth of fresh grown, freshly produced products of all kinds — be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to explore the tastes of all these fresh offerings in our serene rural environment.