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GORDON FOOD SERVICE
BRITISH COLUMBIA farms
· and ·
BC ARTISAN cheese guide
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Featured in this Guide
BC Fresh Inc
Windset farms
BC Tree fruits
All Seasons Mushrooms
Bean Sprout King
Star produce
Century farms
bellmann specialty produce
eat more sprouts & greens Ltd
glen valley artichoke farms
Evergreen herbs ltd
garden back to eden
misty mountain specialties
van eekelen enterprises ltd
little qualicum cheeseworks
natural pastures cheese co.
salt spring island cheese co.
c
BC Fresh In
lta, BC
4363 King Street, De
Murray Driediger,
President and CEO
Here is an example of Gordon Food Service® commitment to
our local farmers in Delta from January to December 2013:
• potatoes 5,753,050 lbs
• cabbage 555,920 lbs
• root vegetables 299,820 lbs
• pumpkins 10,780 lbs
The Guichon Family
Tsawwassen, BC
FARM FACTS
established:1992 as lower mainland vegetable distributors Inc., since 2007
known as BCfresh Inc, distributes: over 70,000 tons of produce per year, customer
base: 45% food service & 55% retail, size: NEW 30,000 square foot facility, number
of employees 18.
farm operations:
100% family- owned & operated by local bc growers
–Bcfresh Inc vegetables are grown on 40-plus farming families throughout the
fraser valley –many family farms go back 4 generations –produce is distributed
mainly throughout the province, and western Canada, but as far as Arizona in
some cases
The Kelly Family
Surrey, BC
mission
“Representing the unparalleled
freshness of BC produce and an
inconparable level of service you can
expect from us and our growers .”
going green:new state-of-the-art low voltage lighting in the warehouse – EPI
resin in many poly bags skus and commencing with a RPC – returnable plastic
container project –eliminating waxed coated cartons.
farm markets:
core product line of potatoes and full line of root vegetables,
including several varietals of beets, potatoes, cabbages, turnips, rutabagas, carrots,
onions, brussel sprouts, rhubarb, parsnips and squash and offers organic potatoes
and carrots.
members:
BC Potato & Vegetable Growers Association –BC Produce Marketing
Association –Delta Chamber of Commerce –BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional
Program –Delta Farmers’ Institute and Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust.
The Sihota Family
Surrey, BC
rms
windset fa
Delta, BC
3660 41B Street,
Newell Family
The Newell Brothers
L to R: John, Jeff & Steve Newell
FARM FACTS
Established:1996 in Abbotsford expanded into Delta in 1998. The
farm is 240 acres
farm operations:
Combining state-of-the-art technology and
old fashioned attention to detail to ensure optimal growing conditions
farm markets:
Variety of delicious, nutrient-rich tomatoes,
peppers and long English cucumbers YEAR ROUND
Going green: Re-using fertilizers and nutrients - carbon-neutral
biomass burners that use wood shavings and other by-products energy screens extensively to prevent heat loss -capture waste heat
from within the greenhouse for night-time heating - use rainwater
capture for irrigation -circulate irrigation water at least five times
before releasing into ground
members:
Canadian Produce Marketing Association –CPMA - US
Produce Marketing Association –PMA - BC Chefs’ Organization United Fresh Produce Association
mission
“Feeding people the freshest and
most flavorful produce possible is
what we do. A simple idea that drives
a complex process”
ts
Bc tree frkelui
owna, bc
1473 water street,
FARM FACTS
Established:Created in 1936 to promote BC Tree Fruits (apples,
pears, cherries, apricots, peaches, prune plums, nectarines.
blueberries & grapes)
Farm facts:
Part of the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative, owned
by over 500 local grower families. They nurture the orchards to
create the best produce possible. Provide expertise in promoting,
packaging and transporting the BC Tree Fruits brand. This includes
assistance with sales, marketing, accounting, technology, shipping
and regulation compliance
members:
Okanagan Tree Fruit Cooperative - BC Tree Fruits
Limited- Growers Supply Company Limited - BC Fruit Growers’
Association (BCFGA) - Okanagan Plant Improvement Corporation
mission
“a BC Tree Fruits sticker means
flavourful food grown close to home
using natural and sustainable methods”
all seasons
mushroomsy, bc
3392 -224 street, langle
e
Frank & Pat Moscon
The Moscone Brothers
L to R: Frank & Pat moscone
FARM FACTS
Established:Established in 1997 in Langley, BC as a certified
Organic, Kosher and HACCP and employees 100 people.
farm operations:
Grows over 120,000 pounds per week
- 65 acres of controlled environment - locally owned - vertically
integrated company - encompassing all of the composting,
growing, distributing & marketing- 2007 completed the
construction of a new state-of-the-art growing facility - 18 growing
rooms with 5000 sq ft growing space per room- 28 days bed to
table
farm markets:
Certified organic white, crimini, & portabella
mushrooms 365 days a year
Going Green:
Completed & implemented an Environmental
Farm Plan (EFP) - recycle water required in production -growing
facility & office utilise environmentally friendly products - part of
BC Hydro “power smart” program reducing energy consumptionspent mushroom substrate can be used by other farmers &
landscapers
members:British Columbia Chef’s Association - BC Restaurant
& Foodservices Association - BC Produce Marketing Association &
Mushrooms Canada - Supporter BC Children’s Hospital & Weekend
to End Breast Cancer.
mission
“All Seasons Mushrooms aims to be
the number one producer and source
of high quality, certified organic
mushrooms in British Columbia”
king
bean sproricut
hmond, bc
8151 No. 6 road,
Frank Lai
President
Frank Lai
Frank at the packaging
machine
FARM FACTS
Established:Established in 1979 and produces 20,000 pounds of
bean sprouts per day
Farm facts:
Past history in restaurant business 1973-1979
- relative in Hong Kong introduced him to Japanese automatic
machines Farm operations: First bean sprout factory in Western Canada started with 3000 sq feet and 4 employees and now has 2 acres and
20 employees
mission
“Our goal is to go solar heating,
energy recycling production and
full automation. I want to supply
the best quality bean sprout
possible”
e
star prodBuuc
rnaby, BC
7580 Lowland Drive,
Deric Karolat
President
FARM FACTS
established:Star Produce was founded in 1989 in Saskatoon, SK
and is privately owned and operated with over 250 employees. Star
Produce is proud of our state of the art IT system which seamlessly
links Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations and Logistics.
food safety: Star Produce facilities are Safe Quality Food (SQF)
certified - Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certified - Follow HACCP
guidelines and conduct third party audits annually in each facility -
Lot traceability & recall procedures in place - Tsunami Wash – 99.9%
reduction in e-coli / salmonella - Inspects the incoming and outgoing
quality of our products from all regional warehouses - Maintains
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP’s) and Good Manufacturing Practices
(GMP’s) records on file for each grower.
GOING GREEN:Constantly looking to reduce our carbon footprint
by recycling cardboard in all facilities - Using PET plastics Transitioning to low profile containers for efficiencies in packing and
shipping - Composting all organic matter
members:
Canadian Produce Marketing Association - Produce
Marketing Association - United Fresh Produce Association - The Dispute Resolution Corporation -The Horticultural Value Chain
Roundtable - The North American Trade Task Force
mission
“To be the most innovative team
in produce with an unwavering
commitment to value and taste.”
s
century faergrm
rove, bc
3554 268th street, ald
Hiroshi Ezaki
president
FARM FACTS
Established:Farm has been in business for over 25 years
Farm facts:Farm is over 5 acres - 6 employees - Grow 250 cases
per week - Customer base is 80% foodservice and 20% retail - From a
family of farmers in Japan - Started with mushroom farm - Recycle all
cardboard & compost
Farm operations: Supplies Gordon Food Service with kaiware –
daikon radish sprouts
going green:Farm recycles all cardboard & has a composting
program
mission
“We strive to grow this unique
product at the highest quality”
bellmann specialty
produce
,
4990 N grandview flats road
armstrong, BC
Bellmann Family
Bellmann Kids
"Little Farmies"
FARM FACTS
established:Established in May 2005 - 33 acres - Ranges from
4-12 employees during the year
farm operations:
100% family owned & operated - Located
in Grandview flats of Spallumcheen, BC - On a ‘micro-climate’ that
produces high temperatures - Soil is sandy loarn excellent for almost
any growing –organic matter - Soil has the ability to drain to control
the amount of water
farm markets:
Thumbelina carrots (heirloom), rainbow carrots,
flying saucer trio baby squash, heirloom tomatoes large fruited,
cherry heirloom tomatoes, green asparagus, easter egg radish
Going Green:Committed to sustainable farming - Meet the needs
of the present without compromising the future
members:Farm Food Safety Program
mission
“Filling a need for high end produce
that is unique in flavor and eye
appeal”
eat more srouts &
Greens LTD ey, BC
2604 Grieve Road, Courtn
Wakeling Family
Greenhouse
One of the Greenhouses used
FARM FACTS
Established:Farm has been running since the mid 1970's on 2
acres - Employs 40+ people
Farm operations:
Family owned & operated - Originally a
backyard cottage industry - Shop the world for the finest seeds
available from organic farmers - Irrigation water from deep natural
aquifer –no chlorine or chemicals
Farm Markets: Sunflower & speciality sprouts
mission
“We are proud to produce a quality
& fresh product. We have a deep,
long term commitment to organic
production and healthy eating”
Glen Valley
artichoke farms,
28182 marsh mccormick road
abbotsford, bC
Plough Family
The Plough Family
L to R: Donna & John Plough
FARM FACTS
established:Established in 1992 - 15 acres - employs up 15
people throughout the year
farm operations:
Before the farm, John worked in construction
& accounting and Donna was a nurse - Changed direction...went
from raising beef cattle to growing artichokes. 30% of the crop is for
foodservice, and 70% is sold at farm markets
GOING GREEN:Natural & traditional farming – no spray – use
organic compost
members:The Land Conservancy –TLD
mission
“Living in the Fraser Valley – we
strive to grow the best quality and
freshest foods that we can for our
customers”
ltd.
Evergreeneeth, suerrrbs
ey, bc
3727 184 str
Brar Family
The Brar Brothers
L to R: TJ & Ron Brar
FARM FACTS
Established:Established in 1996 by brothers Ron & TJ Brar
Farm facts:100 acre farm with 318,000 sqaure feet of greenhouse space
- Employees range from 80-100 throughout the year - The farm is certified
organic & HACCP
Farm operations: Business began unassumingly in the family garage
- Uses semi-organic practices to produce one of the healthiest crops - Crops
start in environmentally controlled green house setting - Highly advanced
packaging & labeling facility - Automated salad washing line
going green:NEW irrigation water purification system – only a few farms
in North America has this TROJANUVMAZ PRO SERIES - Disinfection of water
using UV penetration- destroys a minimum of 99.99% of harmful microorganisims, including E.Coli (does not change taste or colour) - Use over 90%
recyclable & environmentally friendly materials in own packaging -Recycle
over 80% of all packaging materials that come in to plant
Farm Markets: Fine and specialty herbs, gourmet lettuces, salad blends,
baby vegetables & edible flowers, specialty items
members:
• Canadian Produce Marketing Association- BC Produce
Marketing Association - Certified Organic Associations of BC-COABC - Fraser Valley Organic Producers Association-FVOPA
mission
“The company was built on a ‘neversay-no’ partnership with our
customers”
Garden Back to
Eden
42385 Yale road, Chilliwack, BC
Allen Family
The Allen Family
FARM FACTS
established:Established in 2003 - Family owned and
operated - Michael is a former BC Lion who went from playing on
the field to growing the field
Farm facts:Currently operating the second largest organic
greenhouse in Western Canada but they are the largest supplier
of Heirloom Organic produce in British Columbia, with over 22
acres of greenhouse and field Heirloom produce.
farm operations:
21 acres of farm - Certified organic - 14
employees - Only commercial greenhouse in BC that grows
directly in soil - Not grown hydroponically or in bags - Grows
over 95% from heritage or heirloom fruits & vegetables - Original
seeds give real & original tastes
farm markets:heirloom peppers, melons, eggplants, beans
& basil
, Ana-LiL to R: Marquis, Sionesse, Santiana
MataEO),
Co-C
wer/
(Gro
ael
za (Wife), Mich
niel. Front: Soleah, Salomae
mission
“As a BC farmer we owe it to the
people in this province to give them
the best and there is nothing better
than giving them the most original
and natural produce available”
misty mountain
Specialties ond, bc
130-13900 maycrest way, richm
David Lee Kwen
President
David Lee Kwen
President
FARM FACTS
Established:Established in 1997 - Organic, BC Kosher and HACCP
Farm facts:5000 square foot operation - 10 full time and 20 part
time employees
Farm operations: Owner/operator - Fine selection of specialty
produce - Largest selection of fresh and wild mushrooms - Fine
specialty produce available to cater to specific tastes - Specialists in
local market
going green:•Recycle all cardboard - Recycle glass & plastic
containers & donate monies to local charity - Partnership with Quest
Outreach Society - Excess inventory donated
farm markets:
Wild & domestic mushrooms & other specialty
forest products - Specialty items –wild fiddle head greens, wild
berries & sea asparagus - Dried mushrooms- all fresh mushrooms are
available dried
Members:Canadian Produce Marketing Association-CPMA, Fraser Valley Organic Producers Association-FVOPA
mission
“Serving foodservice with our
unique specialty items from around
the globe”
van eekelen
Enterprisestsfltord.
d, BC
38900 No 4 Road, Abbo
Van Eekelen Family
FARM FACTS
established:Peter & Ria van Eekelen started their business over
30 years ago - They employ 8 full time workers
farm operations:
Family business, 2nd generation coming on
board - Found a niche in the marketplace & started their own crop Rotation of crops, crop is grown on recycling water & no pesticides
used
farm Facts:
Located between 2 majestic mountain ranges which
create a fine micro climate, sandy soils that proved to be excellent for
the crops, and an abundance of irrigation water
farm markets:Leeks & Belgian endive
GOING GREEN:Crop rotation, field planning and weed-free lands Preventing soil-and-wind erosion - Clean waterways - Environmental
awareness
members:Eat BC & Abbotsford Soil Conservation AssociationASCA
mission
“Daily fresh picked witloof, year
round!”
little qualicum
ks
cheesewor
farm
Morning star
403 lowry's road, parksville, bc
Gourlay Family
The Gourlay Family
Nancy & Clarke Gourlay
(Husband & Wife)
FARM FACTS
Established:Family owned & operated old-fashioned dairy farm
was established in 2001 - 68 acres - 15 employees
Farm facts:
100% of cheese is made from milk produced on the
farm - 99% of cheese is sold within the magical 100 miles of farm First dairy farm in BC to be certified SPCA
farm market: Variety of gourmet artisan cheeses
members: The Land Conservancy-TLC
mission
“Our goal is to share with you the actual
tastes and experiences of the farm”
natural pastures
.
cheese Coten
ay, bc
635 mcphee avenue, cour
Smith Family
doug, Phillip & edgar smith
(Brothers)
Edgar Smith
Vice-President
FARM FACTS
established:Established in July 2001 - 3rd generation and a
designated heritage farm
farm operations:
600 acre farm - Ventured into cheese making
with on site swiss cheese maker - Milk free of herbicides, pesticides &
genetically modified organisms - Natural product –no food colour or
preservatives - Won multiple awards for a variety of cheeses
farm markets:Variety of Natural Cheeses
members:Eat BC & BC Chef’s Association
mission
“Taste Natural Pastures luscious
artisan cheeses, all hand-made
under the guidance of our Swiss
Master Cheesemaker”
salt spring island
cheese co. ing, bc
121 lower ganges road, salt spr
Wood Family
David Wood
FARM FACTS
Established:Established in July 1996 by the desire of creating a
small family business
Farm facts:
Believed next wave of a small agricultural business,
after wine, was cheese - Trial & error in the kitchen gave confidence
to build dairy & cheesery
Farm operations: 2007 became licensed by the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency
Farm market: Variety of high quality Goat Cheese
going green:David is a member of Guide des Fromagers
Confrerie de Saint-Uguzon
mission
“We practice fair trade, social
justice and environmental
responsibility”
BC grown seasonal & storage cr
op avavailabilities
ailabilities
bc grown seasonal & storage crop
SEASONAL
Apricots
Blackberries
Blueberries
Cherries
Cranberries
Currants
Gooseberries
Kiwi-Grape (Baby)
Peaches
Pears- Bartlett
Plums- Italian
Raspberries
Strawberries
STORAGE
Apples
Pears
Fruit
J
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A
M
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J
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J
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J
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J
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Specialty
SEASONAL
Edible Flowers
Fiddleheads
Herbs
Mushrooms Wild - Cauliflower
Mushrooms Wild - Chantrelle
Mushrooms Wild - Chicken of the Wood
Mushrooms Wild - Lobster
Mushrooms Wild - Morels
Mushrooms Wild - Pine (Matsutaki)
Mushrooms Wild - Yellow Foot
Sea Asparagus
Tomato - Heirloom
J
SEASONAL
Baby Lettuce
Baby Vegetables
Beans - Green & Yellow
Broccoli
J
F
M
Vegetables
F
M
BC grown seasonal & storage cr
op availabilities
Vegetables cont.
SEASONAL
Brussel Sprouts
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard - Red, Green, Rainbow
Chinese Vegetables
Corn
Cucumbers - Field
Cucumbers - Hot House
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce - Endive, Iceburg, Leaf, Romaine
Onions - Green
Parsley
Peas - Snap, Snow & English
Peppers- Hot House
Pumpkin
Radish
Rhubarb - Field
Spinach
Tomatoes - Hot House
Zucchini - Green & Yellow
STORAGE
Beet - Gold & Red
Beet - Candy Cane
Cabbage - Green, Red & Savoy
Carrots
Parsnips
Potato - Kennebec
Potato - Mini White
Potato - Red (Medium & Mini)
Potato - Russet (Large)
Potato - Yukon Gold (Lrg, Med & Mini)
Rutabaga
Turnip - White
Winter Squash - Kabocha, Acorn(Danish)
Banana, Butternut, Spaghetti
J
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Passionate farmers
Vibrant farming community
Significant contribution to local economy
Bountiful produce with great taste