* Top u-pick! *…read more We've been on a U-pick kick this summer, trying to explore the various organic options available. This farm is now at the top of our list for U-pick! Here's why: - Really feels like a family farm. A couple and their little girls were all under a sun tent waiting for u-pickers to greet you. - Peaceful. We didn't see any other u-pickers at all. It was like being in a private blueberry field! - Very friendly. The man walked us into the field and showed us where the good blueberry bushes were that were perfectly ripe and ready to be picked. None of the sending you off to the fields to search randomly for the good stuff! - Quality. The bushes are older, and produce an amazingly sweet richly flavoured berry. We enjoyed them yesterday with some of our homemade vanilla ice cream. Today they are going into a blueberry crumble - which I can't wait to sample when it finishes baking! - Ease of picking. The bushes had huge numbers of berries clumped together. They almost looked like bunches of grapes! You literally could put two hands under a clump, give it a bit of a vibration and dozens of ripe berries fall into your hands. - Farming methods. This is a certified organic farm. Not just "following practices" as many claim. Fully certified. They also are certified biodynamic. So you know it is long term sustainable. Very nice. It feels good to eat things you know have not been contaminated with pesticides, and also that are fully sustainable so they will be there for years to come. - Setting. Located in the Chilliwack Valley, but fairly close to the mountains. So you have a beautiful view of the mountains while picking. Call me crazy but somehow it didn't feel as hot as when you are in an open field with no mountains in the distance. So even though it was 28 degrees it was quite comfortable. - Price. For organic they are very reasonably priced at $2.20/lb. They took a bit off for the weight of the bucket too (80 cents) - very fair pricing. - Setup. Even though you are in the middle of a field, they have a portable water cooler so that you can wash off your hands after picking. There is a porta-potty too. But we didn't venture in there. So no comment on that! The ripe berry bushes are also covered in a clear mesh tent so that the sun still gets in, but the birds do not pick away at the ripe berries. So you enter through an opening in the mesh and totally feel outdoors, but in reality it is a semi-protected environment. The farm grows all sorts of things (carrots, beets, squash, beans, cucumbers, arugula, kale, romaine, corn, and even beef and eggs), but focuses the u-pick on berries. The other products are available from them through their farmer's market visits apparently. Overall this is just a wonderful day trip getting a bit out of the city, seeing the scenery, picking some amazingly sweet berries, and enjoying playing with the farm dog (who is very friendly as well). We'll definitely be back!

Every summer my family looks forward to Sparks corn. We love the green and yellow barns. The Barn…read moreGirls are always polite and efficient. Sparks corn is non-GMO, never has bugs, and is always fresh. Thanks for being great farmers. Bobbi

It's an early corn season and I've always tried to get Chilliwack corn way too late! So after…read morechecking out some popular places I came across Sparkes. Just off the road in a cute and bright little green and yellow barn. The first time I've ever gone through a 'corn drive thru'! It is $11.50 per baker's dozen (13 ears) but hey, it's local. They are open daily from 10-6pm, I came on a Saturday and the line flowed well Pretty simple and quick process, you drive up to the counter , tell them how much you want and pay. They take card or cash. I believe they also sell strawberries but I did not inquire about it. The corn is pre bagged for you so you don't get to choose. When steamed they become a rich yellow colour. Large, full kernals on each ear that burst with juiciness and sweetness as you taking a bite. If you though the corn you get from grocery stores are sweet this is next level up! The sweetness is a flavour that I can't describe accurately enough through words - just so sweet and yummy! The corn is crisp and delicious down to the core. I brought it share with my family and neighbors and they all said it was so delicious.You haven't had Chilliwack corn until you've tried Sparkes corn!

I got four bags of produce(including kiwis, avocado's, pealed and cut baby carrots, squash), a bag…read moreof potatoes and a bag of apples for $31.00.

Daughter and I dropped into 'SKT Market' during a walkabout of the downtown area the first day of a…read morerecent stay in Hope. A first-time experience for us, in this rather new-to-Hope produce market. The location is very convenient for those living and lodging in this lower/central area of downtown Hope - just a short walk away from many of the motels, apartments, and such. And especially handy for anyone lodging in accommodations with kitchenettes, and seeking produce, and such to prepare their own meals. We were just browsing, and not looking for any food that had to be cooked. But daughter did catch some fresh fruit (nice looking and tasting Granny Smith apples, and bananas) while there. In addition to produce, fruit and the like, I did observe that they carry a selection of pasta and other similar products, and had a rather nice selection of honey, and other local Fraser Valley products. Service was very friendly. It was good to see a store of this kind in this area of the downtown, and look forward to checking it out again when in Hope, and our local BC products are more in-season and available.

Great little place that sells huge volumes of local grown veggies throughout three seasons, and…read morecompared to anything local they have the best pricing I've seen anywhere.. They also have a winter service at the barn (not retail store) during the winter months but only root type veggies Staff is pleasant and a real home type attitude as the family works here and really helpful and friendly... If you are getting off the hwy and need your veggies this is the place, drive past the other two !!

This is a very cute but high tech self serve pantry on the side of the road. It is super unique!…read moreBasically, you go inside and there are all sorts of items. Of course, eggs are the star, so there are tons of those. But you can also find things like butter, pies, soups and dry goods. They are all in little locked cubbies. You go to the podium and select what you want to buy using the touchscreen. You can even specify the specific carton of eggs! When you're ready to checkout, you simply pay with a credit card and the cubbies where your items are will automatically unlock, and the doors will swing open. I think this store is a great idea as it's a way to showcase a variety of products, all local, and can be open all sorts of hours. There is plenty of parking too.

a good place for fresh produce and a good selection of frozen food. I was told that the Grandmas…read moreDill pickles were really great dill pickles, so I bought a jar. I have to say the were not the best dill pickles I have ever had not even close. they were not bad but also not very dilly or even much on garlic. the hot pepper did little more than add a touch of colour. And at $13.99 for a 1 quart mason jar they are not the best buy. Sorry Grandma but I do not agree with what I was told and should have saved my money for a better pickle.

Everything that was ordered probably 10 different items of finger food and they were all the best I…read morehave tasted so far. Purchased through a school fundraiser so we divided them between us no complaints!

I love Kin's market for always having fresh fruit and vegetables and great specials. I just bought…read morefour cauliflowers to freeze and carrots for the same purpose. I go there for the fresh cut fruit trays that they sell for approx. $6.00 I will continue checking out Kin's befor shopping elsewhere