FARMS, MARKETS & GARDENS

Abattoir Ducharme: Fresh pork, beef and processed poultry at great prices, direct from the farm. Last visited: not yet, but soon! Address: 110 rue Authier, St-Alphonse-de-Granby, Qc., tel.: 450-375-4620.

Alpines Mount Echo: Nursery specializing in alpine, rock garden and woodland plants in a beautiful spot in the foothills of Mts Sutton and Echo. Address: 1182 Parmenter Road, Sutton, Qc., tel.: 450-243-5354, website: AlpineMtEcho.com.

Les Amies de la Terre du Voisinage de Waterloo: We love these guys. At your beck and command are nearly 600 products from 23 farms around the region - everything from fresh meat and produce to eggs and milk, all at great prices. The products are organic or chosen for their respect of the environment. Why buy from someone thousands of kilometres away when local producers make much of what we need? Rating: Awesome! Last visited: Feb. 2008. Address: 151 rue Lewis Ouest, Waterloo, Qc., tel.: 450-539-4964, website: ATVWaterloo.com.

Beurrerie du Patrimoine: The Groleau family milks 60 cows each morning, separating the milk and pasteurizing to make their famous cheeses and artisan butter sold at outlets across Quebec. They have a store on the premises and also offer cool two-hour guided tours and tasting sessons on appointment. Rating: Awesome! Last visited: May 2008 (ordered through Amies de la Terre du Voisinage de Waterloo). Address: 225 Chemin de Cochrane, Compton, Qc., tel.: 819-835-9373, website: FermeGroleau.com.

Chevrerie Fruit d'une Passion: "Les joyeux fromagers," as these guys call themselves, love goats so much they got their own farm where they produce fine, artisanal goat-milk products, which they supply to gastronomic restos around the province. Address: Saint-Ludger, Qc., tel.: 819-548-5705, email: alaro@sogetel.net, website.

Chiapputo Elk Farm: Elk sausages, steaks, pies and more. Some of the best sausages I've ever had. Rating: Awesome! Last visited: Oct. 2007. Address: 2352 rue Principale, Dunham, Qc., tel.: 1-888-345-2460, website: ChiapputoElkFarm.com.


De la ferme à la table (From the Farm to the Table): Fresh meat, fruit, cheese and veggies from local producers with a focus on organic food. Also available are ready-made meals, soups and gift baskets. Rating: Awesome. Last visited: regularly. Address: 605 Knowlton Rd., Knowlton, Qc., tel.: 450-243-6888.

Ferme de cerfs Highwater: Deer meat products. Address: 52 Rodrique, Mansonville, Qc., tel.: 450-292-4357.

Fromagerie Fritz Kaiser: Locals buzz about master cheesemaker Fritz Kaiser's award-winning cheeses, including Le Douanier Cheese, named grand champion of the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix in 2004, and his Raclette Griffon, which also won a prize. Last visited: not yet, but soon! Address: 459, 4eme Concession, Noyan, Qc., tel.: 450-294-2207, website: FKaiser.com.

Gereli Farm: Organic beef, lamb, veal and maple products from award-winning producer Richard Semmelhaack, whose Hereford, Gereli Rifle, took top honours as grand champ bull in the National Hereford Show in 1981. This bull's mother was the long-time record-holder for highest-selling Polled Hereford Cow. Rating: Awesome! Last eaten: May 2008. Address: 54 Highland, Shefford, Qc. tel.: 450-539-0125, website: Gereli.ca.

Le Jardin du Fin Gourmet: Organic and heirloom veggies, herbs and seeds. Address: 633 Route de Mansonville, Qc., tel.: 450-292-0191, email: saintgelais@sympatico.ca.

Joie de Lavande: Great little lavender farm and boutique in Knowlton offering lavendar plants and lavender-based soaps, lotions, honey and other products. Perfect for gifts. Relaxed site with lots of Adirondack chairs, super-nice staff and cute little pond. Also check out their lavender blog. Rating: Awesome. Last visited: Oct. 2009. Address: 50 Mont Echo Rd., Knowlton, Qc., tel.: 450-243-5438, website: JoieDeLavande.ca.

Paradis des Fruits: Great apple-picking orchard with 22 different types of apples. Plus: honey farm, other fruit picking (blueberries, pears, plums, prunes) and a boutique. Accept school groups. Good animation. Rating: Awesome. Last visited: Oct. 2009. Address: 519 rue Bruce (Route 202), Dunham, Qc., tel.: 450-295-2667, website: ParadisDesFruits.

Les Petits Fruits Léger: One of the few fruit farms near Bromont, this 43-acre establishment includes apple orchards, strawberry bushes and grapes for red wine - plenty of tasty stuff to help stock their boutique with various ciders and other imbibements. They also offer apple-picking in the fall and occasionally sell goat cheese, fresh lamb and other products from nearby farms. Last visited: not yet, but soon! Address: 331 chemin Brome, Fulford, Qc., tel.: 450-534-2753.

Terre à Terre (Down to Earth): Super-cool farm and pottery store. Delicious products from naturally fed Highland beef who lounge around on a sprawling farm with a stunning view of the mountains. Plus: maple vinegar and cool functional pottery, tiles, murals and other creative pieces. Last visited: Feb. 2008. Rating: Awesome! Address: 67 Bailey, Bolton-Ouest (West Bolton), Qc., tel.: 450-242-2836, website: Jadhore.ca.

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