March 3rd is “Hinamatsuri” or “doll festival” in Japan.

It is a day to celebrate girls’ health and happiness, and typically households with girl(s) display a set of dolls.

One of the food for Hinamatsuri is Hishimochi. It consists of three layers of mochi and each color has a meaning: white represents snow, green represents new shoots ready to emerge under snow, and pink represents peach flowers blooming above snow. Altogether, it is a sign of arrival of spring and that’s why it was one of my most favorite food as a child.

Spring has arrived to Gabriola, too, and we sowed arugulas and radishes outside last week. Mustards in greenhouse have sprouted.

Big anouncement! we are in YouTube!

Last summer John@CappuccinoBallet contacted us and filmed some of the everyday operations of our farm. They just finished editing and uploaded it in YouTube. We admire their enthusiasm towards culinary exploration and truly honoured to be a part of their journey. Please click here to see the film.

Our market schedule is as follows:

• Island Roots Farmers’ Market: Beban Park, 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo, 3 – 6pm on Wednesday
• AGI Market: AGI Hall, Gabriola, 10am – 1pm on Saturday

Have a nice warm week!