Celebrating Abbotsford’s Handmade and Homegrown Seasonal Flavours, Food Culture, and Culinary Experiences
The Taste of Abby returns this fall, inviting everyone to explore Abbotsford’s agriculture and culinary scene. Held from September 15th to 24th this fall food festival launches with a night market followed by a week of unique farm experiences, seasonal bites, spirit, cider, and beer releases, a guided Circle Farm Tour, a Foraging Workshop, the Art and Wine Walk in Historic Downtown Abbotsford, grape stomping, discussions on healthy food systems, and the annual Food and Farm Excellence Awards. “Tourism Abbotsford is full of anticipation for the 2nd annual Taste of Abby Fall Food Festival. In our first year, we surpassed our expectations and are thrilled seeing our community partners enthusiastically jump on board with programming, events, activations, and limited product offerings.
Beyond the opportunity to savour some delicious dishes, the festival introduces residents and visitors to new and local experiences, connecting them with the growers and producers responsible for these amazing flavours and ingredients,” says Craig Nichols, Executive Director of Tourism Abbotsford.
The September 15th evening night market will be held at Jubilee Park in Historic Downtown Abbotsford bringing live music from local musicians, artisan shopping, and fall flavours from Abbotsford’s makers including farmers, chefs, and winery, brewery and cidery owners.
“Abbotsford’s annual Taste of Abby showcases some of the top culinary experiences our community has to offer. At the peak of harvest, our growers and their farm-fresh, high-quality foods join together with the extraordinary culinary skills of our local chefs, brewers, makers and producers to create a unique community showcase with events happening for more than a week across our community. This rich food culture is part of what makes Abbotsford the cultural and economic hub of the Fraser Valley. I look forward to seeing residents and visitors, alike, throughout the event enjoying all that Abbotsford has to offer as a premiere food tourism destination, says Ross Siemens, Mayor of Abbotsford.
Throughout the week, visitors can experience a variety of food creations and farm-to-table menus, and fun events that include everything from bees and robotic animals to pickleball and pints. Sponsored by the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, the week ends with the Food and Farm Excellence Awards, recognizing Abbotsford’s best culinary talents and agricultural producers with awards presented at Eco Dairy on September 24th.
“From farm growers to restaurants, agriculture is at the forefront of many of Abbotsford’s most thriving enterprises. That’s why the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce is proud to support another year of Taste of Abby because it’s an opportunity to highlight the diversity of what is grown in this community, and build on Abbotsford’s reputation as an emerging leader at the intersection of the food, hospitality, and farming nexus,” says Alex Mitchell, CEO of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce.
The healthy food systems video series will run throughout Taste of Abby. Facilitated by Aaron Pete, host of the Bigger Than Me podcast, four people were chosen to discuss sustainable and heathy food systems in three-to-five-minute videos. Co-owner and Chef, Jeff Massey, of Restaurant 62 will speak to collaborating with local food growers, Amir Maan from Maan Farms will be discussing ag tech integration and vertical strawberry farming, Paul Sweeting, owner of Raven’s Brewing will share his Indigenous-owned business plans, and MLA Pam Alexis, the Minister of of Agriculture, will talk about the government’s efforts to enable and protect healthy food systems.
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