alberta open farm days lakeland lake image

Discover the Flavours of the Lakeland with our Specialty Curated Local Food Boxes!

Discover the Flavours of the Lakeland with our Specialty Curated Local Food Boxes!

Flavours of the Lakeland Food Box

This year, Open Farm Days is highlighting Cluster Regions that are hotspots for agriculture and activity as we prepare for the 2024 O pen Farm Days, starting with the stunning Lakeland Region.

Lakeland boasts a rich farming and cultural history that has flourished over generations. Spanning a vast geography from Cold Lake to Two Hills, Bonnyville to St. Paul, Smoky Lake, Vermillion, and Lac La Biche, this region is known for its diverse agricultural activities and breathtaking lakes. Multi-generational farms have instilled unique backgrounds, diversity and skills in the region, creating a beautiful cultural mosaic.  There is an abundance of crops and livestock, contributing significantly to Alberta’s agricultural output. The soil’s fertilityalberta open farm days lakeland lake image and the community’s dedication to sustainable practices have helped to preserve traditional farming methods while integrating modern techniques. This blend of old and new enriches the local culture and ensures the continuity of farming heritage in Lakeland.

In tandem with highlighting this area and its history, we’re delighted to introduce an exciting new way to experience the rich agricultural diversity of the area. Starting July 16th, food and farm enthusiasts can discover a taste of the Lakeland region in our limited edition Flavours of the Lakeland box. The box is a unique collection of offerings from the region, giving you a glimpse into the community. This year, we are pleased to feature select items from Backroad Farmhouse Roasting Co., Twisted Fork, Chatsworth Farm, Christy Creek Honey, Serbens Farms, Old School Cheesery, Rocky Meadows Getaway, Hamels Meat, My Sourdough Bread, and New Myrnam School.
Community Futures Logo

We invite you to explore the stories of some of the individual farms and businesses that contribute to these exceptional regional food boxes and get a taste of what’s to come at Open Farm Days this August 17th & 18th!

Where to Pick Up the Flavours of the Lakeland Boxes (while supplies last):

  • Bonnyville Area
    • 350 Farms – Township Road 640, M.D. of Bonnyville
    • Bonnyville Farmers Market – 4313 50 Avenue, Bonnyville
    • Community Futures Lakeland – 5024 50 Avenue, Bonnyville
    • Rocky Meadows Getaway – Township Road 624, M.D. of Bonnyville
  • Lac La Biche Area
    • Christy Creek Honey – 14337 Township Road 652, Lac La Biche
    • Lac La Biche Visitor Centre – 9910 101 Avenue, Lac La Biche
    • Lac La Biche Farmers Market – 13412 Highway 881, Lac La Biche
    • Pasture & Market Restaurant – 10 Provincial Park Road, Lac La Biche
  • Smoky Lake Area
    • Serben Farms – Highway 28 & RR180, Smoky Lake County
  • St Paul Area
    • Backyard Farmhouse Roasting Co. – 46 Avenue & 48 Street, St Paul
    • Community Futures St Paul-Smoky Lake – 4802 50 Avenue, St Paul
    • Musée St Paul Museum – 5409 50 Avenue, St Paul
    • Twisted Fork – 4914 50 Avenue, St Paul
  • Two Hills Area
    • Town of Two Hills – 4712 50 Street, Two Hills

What’s in the Box?

Chatsworth Farm Red Fife Flour
Chatsworth farm family
The Wasylik family at Chatsworth Farm raises cattle, sheep, poultry, pigs, and grains in the County of Vermilion River. They are dedicated to transparency and quality, educating customers about their food’s origins and care. Chatsworth Farm’s farm-to-table program features offerings like Red Fife wheat, Canada’s oldest wheat variety. Their stoneground-to-order Red Fife flour, with its nutty flavor and high gluten content, is perfect for bread, muffins, and pancakes, and can be found in this year’s box.

Hamel Meats Premium Jerky
Hamel Meats is a family-owned business that has been operating in Cold Lake, Alberta since 1962. Hamel’s Meats has always been recognized as having a friendly and easy-going environment for both customers and staff. Hamel Meats was established by Gaston (Gus) and is run by his two sons Greg and Rob, and is contributing 0.25lbs of their Hamel’s World Famous Beef Jerky to each signature box.

Backroad Farmhouse Roasting Backroads Blend Coffee
Breana and Jeremy, along with their children Reiker, Kaybre, and Arwynn, run Backroad Farmhouse Roasting Co. Inspired by Breana’s love for great coffee as a busy mom and principal, they turned their passion for farmhouse living into a business. Jeremy handles the roasting, while Breana manages marketing and sales. Their goal is to create small-batch, locally roasted organic coffee that keeps people coming back. They want their children to grow up with the values of hard work and family on a gravel road filled with freedom and fresh air. Enjoy their Custom Blend Coffee 100g roast included in this year’s box and let it take you back to the simplicity of farmhouse life.

My Sourdough Bread Dehydrated Sourdough Starter
Owner Tania is a passionate home baker turned farmers’ market vendor. Her Sourdough Bread was born in 2022, and features a variety of breads including classic sourdough, cinnamon raisin, honey whole wheat, and more. This sourdough starter was created using Chatsworth Farm Red Fife and to cultivate a robust and flavourful base, and will be included in this year’s speciality box!

New Myrnam School Etched Slate Coaster
New Myrnam School is a small rural school with rich traditions and character, whose teachers use a collaborative, project based approach to learning, and serves students located within the community of Myrnam and surrounding rural areas. This year, New Myrnam school is contributing laser cut coasters to our Flavours of Lakeland box.

Christy Creek Honey Bee Sweet Honey Lollipop
Christy Creek Honey PopChristy Creek Honey was founded in 2016 when a hobby turned into a small business. They love toChristy Creek Honey Alberta Open Farm Days share their knowledge, their bees, and their home with our guests and customers, and provide tours and delectable honey products to locals & travelers from far and wide. This year, Christy Creek Honey is contributing a 2 pack of their signature Bee Sweet Stir Stick Honey Lollipops, and will be welcoming guests for the 2024 Open Farm Days.

Rocky Meadows Country Getaway Sea Buckthorn Tea
Rocky Meadows Getaway started a saskatoon U-pick several years ago, and now farm several kinds of berries, offer fruit pies at the café and operate a campsite and mini golf course created from vintage farm equipment. It’s a relaxed country paradise off the highway, two and half hours from Edmonton.  The family has been participating in Open Farm Days for the past four years, and is excited to invite visitors again through their doors at this year’s event. In this year’s Flavours of Lakeland box, you can expect to see their soothing Sea Buckthorn Tea. Boxes can also be purchased directly at Rocky Meadows Getaway!

Serben Farms Pork Rub
Serben Farms is a family-run farm using traditional outdoor farming methods to raise hogs and laying hens. They collaborate with local producers to offer beef, chicken, vegetables, dairy, and more, and their on-farm shop provides unique handmade items like artisan sausages and cured meats. Visit Serben Farms for fresh and frozen meats, farm fresh eggs, local cheeses, seasonal produce, homemade baking, and a variety of other local delicacies.

The Old School Cheesery Pickled Brussel Sprouts
The Old School Cheesery Alberta
Patrick Dupuis, a cheese enthusiast, started Old School Cheesery in 2016 after retiring from a 25-year military career. With a Cheesemaker’s Certificate and pasteurization license, he turned his 9-acre property into a farm and cheese factory. His daughter Valerie joined the business, bringing her expertise and pasteurization license. Visitors can enjoy handcrafted artisanal cheese made from locally sourced cow milk and experience the cheese-making process firsthand. The Old School Cheesery is providing pickled brussel sprouts into this year’s box, and is also open to the public on Open Farm Days.

Twisted Fork Saskatoon Jam
Since opening in 2017, Twisted Fork’s  focus has been to be “the bridge between the farmers, producers and customers.” Their cuisine is handcrafted by using fresh ingredients from local farmers, producers and businesses, and is made approachable to create fusion between different cultures. Twisted Fork makes just about everything from scratch, down to the jams, dressings and even their bbq sauce, in house to address special diets. To give you a taste of what they have to offer, Twisted Fork is supplying a 375ml jar of their Saskatoon Jam in each box.

Collectively, these farms have played a large role in weaving the rich history behind the Lakeland region, and we are thrilled to be partnering with these fantastic local farms to create these truly special food boxes. Each box showcases the unique local flavours tying together the taste of our community’s dedication and agricultural prowess, and bringing it right to your home.

Other Great Activities to Check Out in the Region

Open Farm Days Participating Farms & Activities

Local Food & Drink

Unique Accommodations

Other Interesting Stops

Cold Lake Alberta

With so much to offer in the region, we hope you will explore much of what Lakeland has to offer.  Visit our partners at Go East of Edmonton, Travel Lakeland, Lac La Biche Region, and Musée St.Paul Museum to learn more about the area and plan your trip!

To learn more about the participating farms and the incredible stories behind their exceptional products, as well as to plan your visit for Open Farm Days this year, be sure to check out albertaopenfarmdays.ca!