Last night I rented "Food Inc", a pretty startling movie about the sad state of food in the world. One of the main consultants for the movie, Michael Pollon, argues that what we eat today isn't really food -- it looks like food and sort of tastes like food, but it has been manufactured on assembly lines and is a really pale representation of what food used to actually be like. Chickens are raised on farms and are grown so quickly that their legs can't support their weight -- after walking only a few steps most of ... Read more...

I just got back from the friends and family event down at the new Coopers store in Garrison Crossing. The store was pretty much jam packed with friends, family, media, and a few distinguished dignitaries, including the head of Overwaitea Foods and Chilliwack's mayor, Sharon Gaetz. I've been anxiously awaiting the store for various reasons, the most important of which is that I literally live a block from the store, and will now be able to walk to get all of my groceries. It's going to be quite the treat being able to simple stroll through a little forest ... Read more...

Tomorrow evening I'm getting a tour of the new Coopers location out near Garrison Crossing on Vedder Road. I've been anxiously awaiting the opening of the store, since it's literally next door to me and I'll finally be able to walk and get groceries (something that I used to do quite regularly out in Vancouver). I'll be bringing my camera, so tomorrow night I'll hopefully post some photos of the new establishment. I believe the official grand opening is this upcoming Saturday, so I'll post more information on that once I know. If anyone has any questions they'd ... Read more...

Having recently moved from the big city back here to Chilliwack, the thought of actually having a few fresh vegetables growing on my patio no longer seems foreign to me. When I was a kid, I used to help my grandma garden in her backyard, something that I imagine many kids these days never have the opportunity to experience. Unfortunately, given that I live in an urban setting, I don't have access to a plot of land or any other area for a traditional garden. That being said, many vegetables and herbs actually thrive in containers. In fact, ... Read more...

While I was on the prowl for good eats in Sardis last month, I stumbled upon a small seafood retailer located at the junction of Vedder & Stevenson. The Docks Seafood Specialty Store is nestled next to Kokopelli Produce in the new Sardis Park Village shopping complex, and is chock full of culinary delights. While The Docks specializes in a dynamic array of fresh and frozen sea foods, I was most impressed with their outstanding selection of Asian and Italian import goods. From Indonesian satay sauce to squid ink pasta, the entire store is a foodie paradise. The ... Read more...

I stopped by a relatively new butcher shop in Chilliwack today.  The name of the establishment is The Town Butcher and they sell a lot of quality meats as well as some harder to get varieties, such as bison.    They also have a small deli where you can purchase pre-made salads.  Definitely check them out if you're in town.  I'm going to try BBQ'ing a small bison steak tonight. If you're looking for where they are located, click here. Read more...