How to Eat Like Royalty This Winter—Farmer Mariette’s Game Plan for Smart Growing & Saving
At Edible Island, we believe that food is more than just nourishment—it’s a connection to the land, the people who grow it, and the community that enjoys it. That’s why we’re excited to welcome Farmer Mariette from Whitaker Farm as our guest blogger this week!
Nestled in the heart of our Comox Valley region, Whitaker Farm, established in 2014, is known for its commitment to organic, sustainable farming and producing some of the freshest, most nutrient-dense vegetables around. With a deep passion for soil health, biodiversity, and growing food with integrity, Mariette is here to share her wisdom on making your homegrown harvest last all winter long.
If you, like Mariette, are concerned about rising food costs, now is the perfect time to plan ahead and outsmart your grocery bill.
Her strategy? A bold (and maybe radical-sounding) approach:
How to Use Your Garden to Reduce Winter Food Costs
If you, like me, are worried about the cost of living in the future, here are some tips to help you plan your growing space and keep yourself well-fed all winter long.
The best and cheapest time to buy food at the market is when it’s in season. But—and this might sound outrageous—this is also when your own garden is thriving. So, I’m going to suggest something radical…
Don’t eat the food you grow in the summer.
Save it. Instead, buy the summer bounty cheaply at the market, and then savor your homegrown harvest in the winter.
What?!? I can already hear the cries from Comox, but hear me out.
The most flavor and nutrition a crop will ever have is the moment it’s picked. After that, it starts to degrade—even the fresh produce I bring to market (and believe me, that’s hard to admit).
That’s why I’m telling you—if you want the best, tastiest and most cost effective food in winter, save what you grow
The Game Plan:
✅ Freeze or process your homegrown crops for peak winter flavor.
✅ Buy and eat your summer produce from local farmers—it’s abundant, affordable, and still packed with flavor.
✅ Come winter, eat like royalty from your own freezer—delicious, nutritious, and a fraction of the cost.
Plan now, and by the time the cold sets in, you’ll have the best-tasting meals, the lowest grocery bills, and the satisfaction of knowing you’ve outsmarted the system.
These are some of the ways we suggest you outsmart your grocery bill this winter.
Happy growing!
– Farmer Mariette, Whitaker Farm
We're proud to support and share the organic harvests of Whitaker Farm throughout the season at Edible Island—so be sure to stock up while it’s available!
You can also order fresh, farm-grown produce directly from Whitaker Farm’s Virtual Farmstand, which is currently closed but will reopen at the start of spring.
Thank you for supporting local organic farmers like Whitaker Farm and keeping the pulse alive at #TheHeartOfLocal!
Additional writing by Sita Huber for Edible Island, in collaboration with Whitaker Farm.
Photo of Farmer Mariette courtesy of Whitaker Farm
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