Gather your family and friends and cycle through the heart of the Fraser Valley while enjoying fresh, local food from some incredible farms during the Fraser Valley Slow Food Cycle Tours. The eighth annual Agassiz Summer Cycle Tour is Saturday, Aug. 2, while the sixth annual Chilliwack Summer Cycle Tour is Sunday, August 3.
The leisurely self-guided Slow Food Cycle Tours provide both an educational and culinary experience, exploring a variety of farms including some that are open to the public only on the day of the tour. The tours give cyclists a rare chance to meet the farmers and learn about agriculture as they pick up fresh produce and other goodies in the spectacular Fraser Valley.
Last year, participants in Agassiz enjoyed locally produced goat cheese, hazelnuts, wood-fired pizza, ice cream with fresh blueberries and much, much more. Each cycle tour is approximately 25km along flat public roadways and riders can start and finish their slow cycle tour any time between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
“The quiet countryside, surrounding mountains, farm animals and friendly locals makes this a not to be missed summer event for all to enjoy and we’re so happy to have the support of Prospera Credit Union,” says Erin Goosen, event co-ordinator with Tourism Harrison.
“Our goal is to really showcase what the Fraser Valley has to offer and to allow as many people as possible to experience what slow food is all about. Prospera’s sponsorship is helping us raise awareness and we encourage everyone to get outside and explore where their food comes from.”
“Some of our staff participated in this event last year and they couldn’t say enough about how much fun it was to ride from farm to farm and try wonderful local foods,” says Bruce Howell, president and CEO of Prospera Credit Union – lead sponsor of the event.
“Not to mention all of the interesting facts they learned about what is produced right here in the Fraser Valley. We applaud the work of local farmers and artisans as they continue to increase the options people have in our community to make healthy choices. Sincere thanks to Slow Food Vancouver, Tourism Harrison and Tourism Chilliwack for giving us the opportunity to support such a great local program.”
As lead sponsor of the Fraser Valley Slow Food Cycle Tours, Prospera will be giving away free seed packets so everyone can grow and enjoy their own fresh herbs at home. Don’t forget to stop by their table to say hello and pick some up, Goosen says.
Slow Food is a worldwide organization dedicated to the celebration of food, farmers and local culture. You can learn more about it and register for the Fraser Valley Slow Food Cycle Tour by visiting: www.fraservalleycycletours.com.