Fruit Stands & Orchards

WELCOME TO FRUIT STAND CAPITAL OF CANADA & ORGANIC FARMING CAPITAL OF CANADA

Enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables in Keremeos, the Fruit Stand Capital of Canada, and Cawston, the Organic Farming Capital of Canada as they ripen throughout the changing season. With many fruit stands and farm markets it’s easy to find not only fresh produce but also preserves and other fresh local foods to take home or enjoy on the spot with a coffee. Stock up for a picnic or for your stay at a local Inn or suite. Choose from a kaleidoscope of colours and flavours that include over 30 varieties of tomatoes, peppers and apples including the Ambrosia, first discovered right here! Enjoy fall stands decorated with hundreds of pumpkins and gourds.

Shop for fresh produce and great selections of locally crafted works of art at weekly farmers market in Princeton.

We grow good eats in the Similkameen! We have an abundance of fruit stands & orchards here. The easiest way to taste the Similkameen is to spend time experiencing our family-run fruit stands and roadside markets. Some of these fruit stands and markets have been here for more than a century. You’ll see them as you drive down Hwy. 3 around Keremeos and Cawston. Fruit stand after fruit stand brimming with seasonal displays that create a rainbow of colour.

For a full list of Fruitstands & Orchards review the list at the bottom of this page or visit the business directory Fruit Stands & Orchards.

Fruit Stands & Orchards

In the spring, you’ll already find produce at our open-air markets. You’ll also see orchards awash with blooms. Step out of your car, and you can smell the freshness of just-picked fruit and vegetables perfuming the air. Grab a basket and start loading up on whatever is in season. Don’t be surprised if you bump into a grower or two. They’ll be more than happy to point out what’s just been picked and delivered that morning.

More than Produce

You’d naturally expect fruit and veggie stands to sell just that very thing! Some of our markets are a little bit exotic and are representative of our community. You can purchase East Asian fashions, Indian pakoras, homemade samosas and a full range of curries. Taste the flavour of the valley in our tree-ripened fruit pies at fruit stands and roadside markets. Be sure to pick up a jar of Orchard Blossom Honey, a Similkameen staple gracing tables for more than 50 years. Taste just-made jams, fresh fruit preserves and chutneys for a sweet sample of the Similkameen.

Choosing Produce from Fruit Stands & Orchards

When choosing your produce, go by ripeness, weight, and how far you have to drive to get them home.  This ensures your fruits and vegetables retain their freshness, no matter when they’ll be canned or cooked. If you can’t make it to Keremeos or Cawston, check out the weekly farmer’s markets in Princeton and Hedley from June to the end of September.

Organic Farming Capital of Canada

Sustainable farming is important to the food cultivators of the Similkameen. Earning the title of Canada’s Organic Farming Capital isn’t a feat to be scoffed at. Over 40% of our farms are organically certified, with that number growing every year! We grow over 200 kinds of peppers, more than 30 different field-grown heirloom tomatoes, several different types of cherries, pumpkins, and corn. And we also grow just about every type of tree fruit you can imagine. Many farmers sell right from their gate with a smile on their faces. If they don’t, you can always hit a fruit stand to find their bounty. So stop by to see what’s been freshly harvested.

Another thing the Similkameen is famous for is our own sweet Ambrosia apples. They were discovered in an orchard in Cawston. The tree had grown from a chance seedling and produced a crisp, sweet apple that was slow to brown. Our culinary pioneers first cultivated this seedling right here in the valley. Since it was first discovered in the 1990s, people have fallen in love with it. As a result of its popularity, the Ambrosia apple is now available around the world.

Whether you’re building a picnic for your calorie-burning hike or a savoury repast for your winery tour, it’s easy to satisfy your craving for fresh from the garden goodness right here in the Similkameen.

Tasting Notes