A few weeks ago, I attended a wonderful dinner at a long table in the middle of the apple orchard at Taves Farms on a warm late summer night in Abbotsford. This unique dinner featured farmers from the Abbotsford area who supplied all the ingredients for the chefs to create this wonderful local feast. At the long table members of the media were seated next to a farmer and this gave us a great opportunity to learn more about the farmers and hear their stories.

Prior to sitting down for the family style dinner, I had an opportunity to taste some local craft beer from Abbotsord based Hathi Brewing and to meet it’s founder.

A selection of wines from Singletree Winery were served alongside the delicious family style multi-course meal which was made by Chef Bonnie Friesen of Faspa & Co.

1^st course:

Spiced Roasted Squash & Apple Salad, chèvre and rye crumb roasted hazelnuts, kale, apple cider vinaigrette, served family style at the long table in the orchard

2^nd course:

Chicken roulade with roasted red peppers and goat feta over blackened corn and cucamelon succotash with mustard jus

Roasted parsnips with caramelized onions and apples, elderflower and thyme

Sauteed green beans with herb chimichurri

Harvest squash risotto with Fraser Valley grown rice and sunflower seed crumble

3^rd course:

Apple Pie Pavlova topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce

Taves Family Farms specializes in growing Jonagold apples, the harvest was about too begin the next day which gave for a beautiful night in the orchard to enjoy this wonderful dinner. They also grow a large crop of Pumpkins as well.

Last year I met many of these farmers at the Farm to Table dinner on the Abbotsford circle farm tour which is a great way for you to learn about all things local, it is a great chance to see where our food comes from and it’s all pretty much an hours drive from Vancouver.

Taves Family Farms is located at 333 Gladwin Rd in Abbotsford, BC.

Mann Farms not only grows a variety of berries on their farm, they also produce dessert wines and I was fortunate to receive a bottle of their Blackberry Wine to take home.

A great way to learn about the local producers and farmers in Abbotsford is to plan your own visits to Explore Abbotsford .

By: Richard Wolak