Tomato Time

This is the time of year when tomatoes are abundant at Organic Acres. We have a huge array of tomatoes, from red, orange and yellow vine tomatoes, huge beefsteaks to tiny little cherry tomatoes that give a burst of flavour with each bite!

Julia Child, an American chef who was influential during the mid 20th century once quoted "You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients." This quote made me think of an extremely simple tomato and basil salad that is absolutely divine. The quantities can easily be changed depending on how many people you are feeding.

Cut 1 pound of cherry or cherry grape tomatoes in half. Heirloom cherry tomaotes also work well and add an extra burst of colour.
Put the tomaotes in a bowl and add about 15 basil leaves which have been torn into small pieces.
Pour over about 4 tablespoons of of balsamic vinagerette over top and toss to combine.
Serve as a side dish to your summer BBQ's or with most other dishes.

The Great Garlic Scape

Scapes are the stem from which the seed bulb of the garlic grows. These are usually harvested early in the growing process, while the shoots are still tender and curled. By harvesting these stems, the plant focuses it's energy on the garlic bulb rather than the seed pod.

While the scapes are still tender, they have a garlic flavour that is not quite as intense as the garlic clove, while still emitting the same distinct smell. The scapes are perfect for use in stir frys or as the base of a pesto instead of basil.

We have bunches of garlic scapes instore now!

Looking for Local?

Here at Organic Acres we try to source as much local and regional product as possible, depending on the seasons and availability. We are running pretty fast into the summer season and with that comes a cornucopia of produce varieties grown right here.

Look for the Bright "BC" label in the corner of our price tags to instantly determine which products are from our lovely province. We also carry a lot of brilliant produce items from Washington and Oregon. Although these products are not from British Columbia, they are often from just across the border.

Right now, some of our local and regional products include:
Certified Organic Rhubarb- Bhumi Farms, Armstrong, BC
Certified Organic Lettuce- Myers' Farm in Aldergrove and Glen Valley farms
Certified Organic Radishes- Myers Farm, Aldergrove BC
Certified Organic Empire, Orin and Newton Pippin Apples - Cawston, BC
Certified Organic Beefsteak, Vine and Cherry tomatoes- Origin Organics, Delta
Certified Organic Green and Black Kale- Ralph's Greenhouse, Washington
Naturally Grown Strawberries- Windermere Nurseries, Rosedale, BC

Sunburst Squash

Sunburst squash is named for the bright scalloped shape of this lovely summer squash variety.



These little squash can be used in any way you would usually use zucchini, including, stir frys, sauces, even cakes and muffins! Our favourite way, however, is to slice them in half horizontally, brush them with a basic marinade and pop them on the BBQ for a few minutes each side.

A baste/ marinade can be made from:
2 tbsp Olive oil
1/2 tsp Fresh grated ginger
2 cloves Fresh crushed garlic
1 tsp Honey/ maple syrup
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 Tbsp Tamari/ Soy Sauce/ Bragg's
Pinch of cayenne pepper

We have an amazing deal on these Sunburst squash from Del Cabo co-op. They are only $1.45 per pound this week!

Weekly Update

We are starting to get into one of the most exciting times of the year for supply of beautiful fruits and vegetables. Melons, berries and stone fruit are starting to come in from California. We are hoping to see a more steady supply of the delightful naturally grown strawberries and raspberries that have been flying off our shelves faster than we can refill them. We are crossing out fingers that the next delivery of these lovely berries will be Saturday morning, so keep an eye out for these sitting on their perch behind the cashier booth!



We are also seeing an influx of locally grown hothouse tomatoes from Origin Organics, who have 33 acres of hothouse production in the Fraser Valley and Delta. We can expect to see cucumbers, peppers and specialty tomato varieties from these guys right through summer!

We have an abundance of lovely sunburst squash at the moment. These squash are named for their bright burst of yellow colour, they also have a distinctive scalloped shape. You can use sunburst squash much like you would zucchini, in stir frys, curries, or our favourite, cut in half and popped onto the BBQ with a light marinade made from garlic, ginger, oil, pepper and soy sauce or Bragg's. Delicious!

Welcome!

Hi there, and welcome to Organic Acres online!
This blog is here to provide you with up to date information about the products we carry including recipes, grower information, storage hints and much more.

Organic Acres is situated in the bustling Public Market, situated right in the thick of things on Johnson Street, Granville Island. We are open every day from 9am until 7pm. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff can help you find the perfect produce.