Nourish Your Soul: Indulge in BC’s Fall Bounty

The Lower Mainland 

The verdant Fraser River valley east of Vancouver has some of the richest soil in the province. The region has created a series of self-guided circle farm tours, each of which gives you an opportunity to meet the farmers and hear their stories, and to taste what’s in season right where it was grown, including wines, for those interested in acquainting themselves with the unique terroir of this delectable region.

Fall also means plenty of fresh cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower, as well as crops that inspire some of the sweetest comfort foods, like cranberries, pumpkins, and apples. From the sea, this is the time to feast on salmon—the fish that is synonymous with British Columbia—and practise your shucking skills in anticipation of oyster season.

Northern BC

Prince Rupert restaurant owners pride themselves on their selection of fresh, local ingredients, and menus that celebrate their connection to the landscape and community through food. There are plenty of fine places to dine for every meal of the day.

In Prince George, visit BC’s northernmost winery, Northern Lights Estate Winery, and in Terrace, enjoy the music scene and local food and drink options at The Skeena Bar. Ingredients are sourced from nearby purveyors including White Goat Coffee and Daybreak Eggs.

Kootenay Rockies

Farther east, in the Kootenay Rockies, go for a full-sensory experience by pairing autumn flavours with a flourishing art scene in its scenic mountain towns. Visit local exhibitions for new perspectives on the natural environment, and farm and craft markets that celebrate locally made products. At the end of September, watch the borscht cook-off at the Doukhobor Discovery Centre in Castlegar; try mead at the Kootenays’ only meadery, located in Skookumchuck; or sample creamy chocolates at one of the few traditional bean-to-bar chocolatiers in the world in Fernie.

Vancouver Island & the Gulf Islands

A short ferry ride from Vancouver, Vancouver Island and the nearby Gulf Islands are another agricultural hub. The mild maritime climate here offers a longer growing season that combines with mountainous terrain and fertile lowlands to create agricultural pockets with distinct growing conditions.

Experience a moving feast of culinary experiences across the Island. Tour wineries, sample artisan cheeses, sink your teeth into crispy, organically grown heirloom apples, and talk to proprietors about what makes their products special. Taste Cowichan beef tartare, chanterelle mushroom sauces, steamed Dungeness crab, and other fine fare only available in the fall.