Farm Fresh: Enjoying Alberta's Bounty

This weekend we decided to head out of the city to enjoy some of the local produce our area has to offer. We went to Saskaberry Ranch, a wonderful U-Pick on the way to Sundre, Alberta. They also offer "We-Pick" services if you just want to head out and grab somethings to bring home. We expected berries but were delighted to end up taking home several varieties of impressive cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes. The berries are planted in rows outside. The raspberry bushes are rather low but full of juicy berries, and the strawberries are planted in raised beds which makes them very easy to harvest. The strawberries were a little sparse, although I could see plenty more starting to ripen. Unfortunately, due to a flock of birds, they lost their Saskatoon crop before they were even ripe. Here is to hoping for next year!
There are several greenhouses in which you can select and pick your own veggies, and the plants are very impressive. Everything is well maintained and cared for, and the owner was very helpful and friendly. We also enjoyed taking home some farm fresh eggs and a frozen chicken (they have 4 to 7 lbs. sizes available) which was raised on the ranch. Everything was incredibly reasonably priced, making eating local all the more enjoyable and attainable. All in all, it was a wonderful morning! It was great to get out of the city and do a little labor for big rewards. The berries we picked make store bought ones pale in comparison, as well as the delicious fresh veggies. We roasted the chicken for dinner last night and it was fabulous, so flavorful and juicy, you can tell they were happy birds. Next time you are looking for something fun to do with friends or family, or perhaps you are interested in eating locally and healthy, I highly recommend making the trek out to Saskaberry Ranch. We had a fantastic day out in the country and returned with an even more fantastic bounty. Being a Locavore has never been so easy!

Tip: Be sure to check the website for directions and hours before you make the drive, as some days are only available by appointment. They also have up to date postings of what produce is available. Enjoy!