From field to plate!

During summer, the season of abundance, there are plenty of opportunities to put Quebec on the menu. Starting with the many market garden stands dotting the roads of the Laval countryside, some even offer pick-your-own strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.

To the blueberries!

Here's a great excuse to organize a gourmet stroll for the whole family! A five-minute stroll on the clay floor of the Dagenais kiosk on the Marineau Farm and you'll see the rows of blueberry bushes. Louis Marineau, the fourth generation to run the farm founded in 1921, warns us about the sounds of birds of prey and scarecrows in the field, in fact acoustic strategies to ward off pecking birds. It's an astonishing soundtrack!

Crouch down, knees in the dirt, and enjoy a fun and enriching experience, not only making contact with a local grower whose know-how is almost a century old, but also learning more about the cultivation of home-grown fruit and vegetables.

Once you've filled your baskets to the brim, return to the farm and sit down in the covered picnic area for a quiet lunch while the kids enjoy themselves in the playground and mini-farm. Before you leave, stock up on vegetables (including the famous corn) and homemade doughnuts for a family supper that's sure to end on a bluish note! And why not try an artisanal ice cream? The Marineau Farm foodtruck will be serving up decadent fruity delights.

With raspberries!

Head east of Laval to the orchards, greenhouses and farms of Avenue des Perron. Stop off at Ferme F. Turcot et Fils where, after an abundant strawberry season, raspberries are in the spotlight. Fernand Turcot, son of Sylvio Turcot who acquired the land in 1950, will direct you to the back of his market garden stand to lift branches and leaves in search of the little red berries bursting with flavour.

And vegetables...

In August, you can go to Ferme F. Turcot et Fils to pick your own vegetables, including tomatoes, onions, eggplant, sweet peppers and a variety of hot peppers. Still bursting with sunshine when you pick them, they'll be excellent in spaghetti sauces, ratatouille and late-summer moussakas.

Market gardeners to discover

The Forget family began farming in Laval in 1821. Their passion has been passed down through the generations, and Mathieu Forget, the 7th generation, is now at the helm of Ferme Forget. The kiosk opened in 2016, enabling the family to expand its product offering. In addition to its succulent fruits and vegetables, it sells a range of homemade products such as pies, jams and marinades. Large fields welcome U-pick strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.

Ferme Forget also offers a host of activities, including a picnic area and a mini-farm for the enjoyment of young and old alike. Did you know that in August, you can experience a giant corn maze? A visit that can be combined with squash and pumpkin picking.

Ferme Vaillancourt has been harvesting strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants for over 185 years. Stop by the kiosk to find fresh fruits and vegetables, local produce, dairy products, pastries, annual flowers and herbs, as well as Les délices d'Agathe products, including jams and marinades, fruit ketchup, relish, and homemade pickled beets and gherkins made the old-fashioned way.

Ferme Marineau, 4356 Dagenais Blvd. West, Laval, H7R 1L5
Ferme F. Turcot et Fils, 7205 avenue des Perrons, Laval, H7J 1E9
Ferme Forget, 7901 avenue Marcel-Villeneuve, Laval, H7A 0H9
Ferme Vaillancourt, 3155 avenue des Perrons, Laval, H7J 1G2
Flavors of Laval

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