Slow Food Vancouver Summer Cycle Tours

This summer, Slow Food Vancouver offered two Slow Food Cycle Tours in the Fraser Valley.  The 3rd annual Cycle Tour Agassiz was held on Saturday, August 22nd and the 1st annual Cycle Tour Chilliwack was held on Sunday, August 23rd.
Thank you to our sponsors for helping to make this a successful event.  Over 1,500 cyclists enjoyed visiting the farms, some of which are open only for the day.  View the slideshow for the Agassiz Cycle Tour.

Update: View the slideshows from the Cycle tour 2009 : Slideshow 1  & Proof Gallery ..

Read about the farmers and farms featured on the 2009 Slow Food Cycle Tours. Click here for Agassiz Agassiz and Chilliwack . The cycle tours are self-guided leisurely bicycle rides.

These tours provide an educational and culinary experience exploring many farms; some that are open to the public for this day only!  The tours give a rare chance to meet the farmers and learn about agriculture.  A quote from the Mayor of Chilliwack:

“I am excited for the 1st Annual Slow Food Summer Cycle Tour in Chilliwack.  This event not only promotes healthy living but gives participants a taste of the bounty of a few of the more than 900 farms in our City.  A hearty thank you to the farmers and organizers of this educational and fun event.  May this be the beginning of many more annual tours.” Mayor Sharon Gaetz, City of Chilliwack.

The 3rd Annual Agassiz Tour started with breakfast served at Registration by Kilby Farm in addition to Back Porch coffee and other beverages. Lunch choices were offered at Limbert Mountain Farm and at Canadian Hazelnut. 

The Sunday ride was in the Greendale area of Chilliwack.  Featured on the tour was Sue Barker’s goat farm.  Sue supplies to Avalon Dairy.  Devan Toop, a 6th generation dairy farmer; a goat milk processing plant; a Black Angus farm (with music and guest chef, Michelle of Evangeline’s Restaurant in Chilliwack serving tapas);  an edible garden tour; and visits to produce and hobby farms were on the leisurely 25 km route.  Lunch was hosted at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve by the Sto:Lo People of the River featuring a traditional salmon BBQ. Thank you to Farm Credit Canada for their beautiful shopping bags for the first 300 registrants.  Visit the Chilliwack Cycle Tour site for further information. 

Net proceeds from our summer cycle tours of the Fraser Valley, along with donations from our Adopt-a-Farmer campaign, will be used to sponsor two young farmers to attend Terra Madre 2010.

The idea of slow food has never been more important; global issues such as climate change make supporting our local food producers essential!  The Fraser Valley is unique with its perfect climate, soil, and water conditions for agriculture.  The Slow Food Cycle Tours are a wonderful opportunity to become familiar with an important resource - food!  You will get to experience and taste local food products produced close to home, while getting to meet your local farmers.