As spring unfolds, the Comox Valley is coming alive with a bounty of local produce, and there is even more to look forward to as the weeks roll on.
In April, cold-season crops like spinach, lettuce, and radishes brought colour to our plates while we continued to enjoy winter mainstays like kale, leeks, onions, potatoes and parsnips. Now, in May, rhubarb, asparagus, and peas are making an appearance, bringing fresh flavour and excitement for what is still to come 鈥� broccoli! Zucchini! Tomatoes, corn and peppers, oh my!
LUSH Valley鈥檚 Good Food Boxes are a great way to sample the diverse flavours of our region 鈥� LUSH works with nearly 40 local farms to fill Boxes with fresh, in-season delights. By mid-April, every item in the box was sourced from Comox Valley farms with the exception of apples, which came from the Okanagan.
Fruit arrives a little later in the Comox Valley, in the form of strawberries in June, raspberries, blueberries and cherries in July, and a cascade of apples, pears and stonefruit in August and September. It's hard to deny that a strawberry plucked fresh from a field tastes far better than a store-bought strawberry in January, which has travelled from California or Mexico.
Buying local food is a way of planning for the future and ensuring we have access to good food and a healthy ecosystem for generations to come. Shopping for local food helps to build a resilient local food system, supports our local economy, and ensures we have a reliable and sustainable food supply that isn鈥檛 as vulnerable to global shifts. It鈥檚 also a great way to support environmental sustainability, reducing transportation needs, minimizing food waste, and supporting diverse farming practices.
To hone your culinary skills and learn to celebrate and capture the flavours of spring and summer, LUSH Valley offers many kitchen skills workshops that focus on celebrating seasonal vegetables and preserving the harvest at its peak freshness.
It's time to embrace the season and make the most of our local bounty!
For more information about LUSH Valley, including details on Good Food Boxes, workshops, and their various community programs, visit .
