11 Reasons To Add Greendale, Chilliwack To Your Bucket List

The Greendale Sampler tour rounds up the must-stop visits in this little community. From fresh produce and locally made cheese and honey, to all-natural soaps and handmade pottery, the Sampler tour had a little something in store for everyone.

August 19th was a picturesque summer day in Greendale: blue skies, corn stalks blowing in the wind, red barns on the horizon, peace and quiet… the little community between Number 3 Road and Lickman Road in Chilliwack is not only a gorgeous backdrop for a summer drive, it’s also bursting with farms, artists, and an array of locally made products.

This year was the 12th annual tour for Greendale. I knew this would be a perfect opportunity to discover the neighborhood, and support the community by purchasing some items for a housewarming basket I was putting together for my sister who recently moved back to the Fraser Valley.

Lucky for me, my fiancé offered to stay home with our 16-month-old toddler so that I could shop and explore in peace! The tour offered 11 stops, and I managed to hit 8 of them before this mama had to head back home.

Stop #1: Local Harvest Market / Stop #2: Anita’s Organic Grain & Flour Mill

These two stops are actually the same convenient location: just off the Lickman Road exit on the highway. They grow their own fresh vegetables on their farm behind the market, they offer fresh baked bread and muffins/cookies, and they also carry locally made cheeses, eggs, and milk. I grabbed a fresh blackberry scone for breakfast, and a raisin sourdough loaf for my housewarming basket.

This is also my go-to stop to fill up my glass growler of Healthy Hooch Kombucha – the tart cherry is my favorite! They have a growler tap right in the market. It is awesome.

And for busy mama’s – the Local Harvest Market also offers Harvest Boxes that you can order online. Boxes full of in-season veggies and bread delivered right to your door, or picked up on the way home! So much more convenient than dragging toddlers to the grocery store if you ask me.

Stop #3: Pottery By Kelly

I actually drink my coffee every morning from one of Kelly’s handmade mugs. I purchased it earlier this season at a farmers’ market, so I was pretty excited to check out her home studio and workshop. Kelly gave a demonstration of the pottery wheel, and then I headed into the studio to check out all her amazing work.

Christmas shopping struck my mind, as Kelly’s studio is full of dishes, mugs, bowls, vases, butter dishes and even yarn bowls! I’ll definitely be heading back in a few months to do some shopping.

Stop #4: Chilliwack River Valley Natural Honey

I always stand in front of the honey in the supermarket for ages trying to find a locally made honey. Now I don’t have to.

This little honey shop has everything I need: from a variety of dark and light honeys, creamed honey, to honey comb and honey sticks; and even honey taffy (yes, I couldn’t leave without that!). This shop made a perfect addition to the housewarming basket.

Stop #5: Smits & Co.w Farm Cheese

If you dream about the perfect cheese board, you have to stop at this farm.

I probably spent 15 minutes just tasting cheese before even looking at the whole store! Smits & Co.w offers all types of Gouda cheese – I couldn’t resist the black pepper, and the smoked Gouda. There was no stopping there – I then found the variety of goat cheeses, and had to take home some jalapeno pepper goat cheese for the housewarming basket.

Bonus? I also grabbed some bacon and pepperoni sticks – which they make there!

Stop #6: New Moon Tea & Co.

I was so excited for this stop. I had no idea that New Moon Tea was so close to home. I LOVE tea. This company makes all natural loose-leaf teas that contain no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives – AND they taste amazing. Christine is a professional horticulturist and she uses her knowledge to create different tea blends that have a whole-body benefit.

I’m super excited that New Moon carries a whole line of pregnancy teas! First, second, and third trimester teas, plus post pregnancy teas like “Mama’s Milk”, and they even carry a healing bath sachet for the post-delivery sitz bath.

I scooped up a couple of their iced tea sachets, perfect for pitchers. One for the housewarming basket, and of course one for me! How can you go wrong with a summer iced tea named “Sangria”? Yum.

Stop #7: Great Blue Heron & Nature Reserve Society

I didn’t have the time to stop and talk a walk through this nature reserve, although it’s on my list of things to do. I plan on bringing my little one for an afternoon walk through the trails and bridges to explore and see all the birds.

The Society also offers an interpretive center full of wildlife displays, different types of art workshops throughout the year, and even children’s camps and school programs.

Stop #8: Greendale Herb & Vine

Katy and Doug were great to visit on this tour. I sampled some infused vinegar and some loose leaf iced tea, but I couldn’t stay away from the spice mixes. They all smelled so amazing – but the Summer Rub they make with herbs, peppers, onion, and garlic is to die for. I can’t wait to put it on everything! Plus it’s salt-free, so I can feel a little less guilty when I pile it on.

Stop #9: 5 Acres Ranch

Unfortunately another stop I was unable to make, the 5 Acres Ranch sounds so beautiful. As they were only open on Sampler day, I really missed my opportunity to check out the peaceful gardens and forest on their property. I will need to make this stop a priority next year.

Stop #10: Rustic Soap Co.

Although I didn’t make it here on Sampler day, I had stopped by a few days earlier and fell in love with the little Soap shop. Homemade soaps, body care products and candles… and even a few mama and baby products! I couldn’t help but grab a few bars of fresh spearmint-eucalyptus soap, a summery scented candle for my housewarming basket, and a bar of Mama’s Belly Balm for my itchy pregnant tummy!

Stop #11: Chilliwack Corn Maze & Pumpkin Farm

The last stop on the tour and I didn’t make it. However, I will be back within a month or two when corn season is winding down and pumpkin season is spicing up! I can’t wait to explore the Corn Maze & Pumpkin Farm with my toddler. This farm offers so many fun activities, from the actual corn maze and pumpkin patch, to farm animals, a train ride, pedal carts, and even a giant bouncy pillow. My little one is going to love it here!

Have you hit any stops on this tour? What did you think? Let us know!