At Hawthorn Valley we focus on the production of natural vegetable products for local markets--mainly guests at our bed & breakfast, as well as a few local businesses and families, and of course our own family and friends.  By "natural vegetables" we mean produce that is grown without the use of any chemical inputs, including pesticides or fertilizers.  Instead, we combine small-scale farming methods with creative new ideas to grow food that is safe, fresh, and delicious.  Because we are not a large scale producer and service only a small local area, our vegetables are picked at their prime and more often than not consumed the very same day, eliminating the need for any artificial preservatives.

We stress the connection between local production and consumption of natural foods because we believe that the most reliable way for consumers to ensure the safety of their food supply is to come out and visit the farm. If you are interested in food production and would like to learn more about our local/natural policy, we welcome and encourage you to come out and see for yourself!

Why not call the foods from Hawthorn Valley "Organic"?

The meaning of the term "organic" and the standards for certification as an "organic producer" vary significantly between different countries.  Currently in Canada, organic certification is voluntary and officially approved through the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB).  This means that any food producer in Canada can claim to sell an "organic" product, but only those who meet a set of minimum standards can claim to be officially endorsed by the CGSB.  Since there are many stakeholders in the design process for organic standards--including large scale operations that target international markets--a consensus has been a long time in coming and the standards themselves are still under review.

After much research and informed consideration, we have decided against seeking voluntary certification as an organic producer, and therefore choose not to use the term "organic" when referring to the foods produced at Hawthorn Valley. 

While we support many of the underlying ideas of modern organic production and actively encourage standards for safer food, we continue to stress the local producer-consumer connection as a way to build relationships based on trust, mutual understanding, and first-person experience.