Farm fresh foods: Lacombe delivers the goods

Lacombe, Alberta, has a strong agricultural base and a growing agri-tourism industry.

by Trina Ayling — February 24, 2015

Brown Eggs and Lamb Country Store, Lacombe, AB displays locally milled flour on an outdoor shelf. — Brown Eggs and Lamb Country Store in Lacombe, Alberta, displays locally milled flour. — Photo courtesy Lacombe Tourism

Established in one of central Alberta's most fertile valleys, Lacombe boasts a strong agricultural base and a growing agri-tourism industry. A short 15-minute drive north of Red Deer, Alberta's third most populous city, Lacombe is central to a number of small towns and hamlets that feature local farm stores, you-pick operations and seasonal farmers’ markets. This picturesque countryside is also home to numerous lakes, campgrounds and outdoor attractions.

The Lacombe Region is home to a large and diverse agricultural industry, making it easy to find and buy locally grown and raised produce, dairy, eggs, beef, bison, elk, poultry and honey. Here are a few of the country stores in and around Lacombe you’ll want to visit.

Billyco Junction you-pick, farm store and B&B

Located ten minutes southeast of Lacombe and open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, Billyco Junction is a working farm that delivers fresh, seasonal produce to Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary. Between June and September, customers can pick their own chemical-free berries, rhubarb and apples as soon as they come into season.

Guests are also encouraged to stock up on jams, jellies, syrup, honey, pickles and relish from the farm store. For information on when fruits and berries are in season, visit billycojunction.com/index.htm

Pik-N-Pak produce

Less than a 15-minute drive west of Lacombe, Pik-N-Pak is located in Gull Lake along Highway 12 and is a distributor for several of the region’s family-owned greenhouse growers. Tourists can shop the self-serve store year-round for fresh peppers, cucumbers and several varieties of tomatoes.

Brown Eggs and Lamb

South of Gull Lake in the town of Bentley, Brown Eggs and Lamb is located at 40323 Range Road 281. Open from noon to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday (noon to 6:00 p.m. in winter), this charming country store features hundred-mile food wares and artisan crafts.

Specialty products include fresh brown eggs, goat’s milk, yogurt, honey and stone-milled flour. Locally raised meats are available and include Alberta lamb, Canadian Rangeland elk and bison products, free-range chicken and pork.

Brown Eggs and Lamb Country Store offers an array of local products including fresh juices, milled grains and honey. — Brown Eggs and Lamb Country Store offers an array of local products, including fresh juices, milled grains and honey. — Photo courtesy Lacombe Tourism

Guests are also welcome to tour the chicken houses and sheep pens on event days or by appointment. For more information or to book your tour, visit countrydrive.ca/place/brown-eggs-and-lamb.

The Green Pantry

To sample or purchase fresh fruit, veggies, grains, granola and locally produced organic dairy, visit the Green Pantry’s warehouse, located at 4702 Highway 2A in Lacombe, on Thursdays between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m.

For more information on where to buy local produce, upcoming events, attractions, lakes or campgrounds, visit Lacombe Tourism.

Farmers’ markets

Farmers' markets are plentiful in and around Lacombe. Visit them all to discover the wide variety of locally grown produce, free-range and hormone-free meat, natural honey, jam and jelly, baked goods, artisanal gifts and local woodwork available for purchase. From Lacombe to Bentley, Blackfalds and Red Deer, these markets are open from mid-May through October.

Lacombe Farmers’ Market

Lacombe Arena and parking lot, 5429—53rd Street
Fridays 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Bentley Farmers' Market

Bentley Curling Rink and parking lot, 5218—50th Street
Saturdays 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.

Blackfalds Farmers’ Market

Blackfalds Community Hall, 4810 Womacks Road
Mondays 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Red Deer Farmers’ Market

Red Deer Arena parking lot, 4751—43 Street
Saturdays 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.