Beyond Blueberries: Global Ingredients Grown Right Here In Canada 

Supporting local food producers in Canada isn’t just patriotic—it’s delicious. Across the country, farmers and makers are pushing boundaries to grow and craft world-class ingredients, while also closing the loop from soil to table in inspiring, sustainable ways. 

On the West Coast, a group of pioneering farmers is experimenting with crops typically found in warmer climates. At Westholme Tea, you can sip a cup of Camellia sinensis from the only dedicated tea farm in North America. 

“It was a passion for tea and the challenge of what might be possible that inspired us to start Westholme,” says founder Victor Vesely. “But it’s our deep love for Vancouver Island that keeps us growing. The tea reflects more than terroir—it captures the culture of the people and place that create it. That’s what you taste in every cup.” 

Further north, Vancouver Island Sea Salt is proving there’s no need to look to Maldon or Italy for a premium finishing salt. Harvested from Pacific waters fed by glaciers and surrounded by old-growth forests, the salt boasts a unique “merroir”—a distinct flavour profile shaped by its marine environment. 

On Salt Spring Island, Jane Squier has transformed her 6,000-square-foot greenhouse from hydroponic lettuce production into a subtropical citrus grove called The Garden. Now in retirement, Jane supplies hyper-local fruit to just 10 restaurants and bakeries, including Nero Tondo, Burdock & Co., Oxeye, Pilgrimme, Pluvio, Kissa Tanto, The Acorn, Toca, Francis Bread and Love’s Galettes. 

These partnerships have helped spread awareness of Canadian-grown citrus and of Jane’s deeper mission: regenerative farming. “We can work towards creating living soil again and move towards a more balanced production system—where food quality is actually worth eating,” she says. 

She encourages others to grow their own hardy citrus varieties, such as Sudachi or Yuzu, from Canadian nurseries like Phoenix Perennials, Tropic of Canada, Flora Exotica and Fruit Trees and More, and to learn from growers in cold climates, including Saskatchewan-based Arkopia. 

Meanwhile, the Prairies are home to some of Canada’s most internationally coveted crops, such as durum wheat semolina—much of which is exported to Italy to be milled into ‘00’ flour, only to be sold back to Canadians at a premium. 

Vancouver’s Flourist is working to close that loop. “Our vision was to create a community that gathers around the flour mill,” says co-founder Shira McDermott. “It’s a nod to the earliest human civilizations, and to the role agriculture—especially grains—have played in how we come together.” 

Ontario’s Arva Flour Mill, the sixth-oldest continually operating business in Canada, has honoured this tradition for more than 205 years. “We work with a local grain elevator that supplies hard and soft red winter wheats, all grown within a 100-kilometre radius,” says flour miller Dustin Blackall. 

At Kaslo Sourdough Pasta in British Columbia, the concept of ‘closing the loop’ goes even further. “It’s not just about sustainability,” says co-owner Tania Lettrari. “It’s about honouring the land, the people, and the science behind Canadian agriculture.” 

Canada also grows over half of the world’s mustard seed, most of which is exported. But Gravelbourg Mustard in Saskatchewan and Kozlik’s Mustard in Ontario are changing that. The latter has even been praised by celebrity chef David Chang: “It’s memorable when you have the best of something. In my opinion, this is the best mustard anywhere.” 

In B.C.’s Fraser Valley, Steve Hope of Fraser Valley Hazelnuts is planting the future. After Eastern Filbert Blight wiped out 95% of the province’s hazelnut trees in 2005, he partnered with three other families to rebuild the industry with resilient varieties. 

“The Fraser Valley, like much of southwest B.C., offers the perfect climate for hazelnuts,” he says. “The product we produce here—yes, I’m biased—is the best-tasting hazelnut in the world.” 

Ultimately, it’s Canadian consumers who make all of this possible. “Supporting Canadian-grown products means supporting Canadian families,” Steve says. And that’s a harvest we can all feel good about. —Carissa Kasper