Fewer things say "summer in Metro Vancouver" than picking your own berries. June through August, the fleeting strawberry season finds locals flocking to fields across the region to fill buckets and baskets with the juicy red gems.
For those who have made an outing of doing strawberry u-pick, you may feel your back or glutes twinge with muscle memory; bending down in those rows is no joke.
One of the Lower Mainland's favourite farms to visit happens to have implemented a unique strawberry growing scenario, and they say it is the first u-pick of its kind in Canada. This summer, visitors to Maan Farms in Abbotsford have been enjoying standing strawberry u-pick.
Thanks to elevated rows set up at around chest height under tent-style coverings, Maan Farms' strawberry u-pick is crouch-free.
Menu at Maan Farms cafe includes butter chicken and seasonal treats showcasing strawberries
In addition to being able to gather your berries without bending, Maan Farms' lively marketplace features an in-house cafe that's making the most of strawberry season with all sorts of limited-edition treats. Slurp on strawberry lemonade slushies, nibble on strawberry-infused mini donuts, or indulge in their Insta-worthy "cloud" ice cream cone, featuring a big swirl of strawberry soft serve in a cone surrounded by a pink cotton candy cloud. They're also dunking their fresh-picked berries in cups of melted chocolate for a decadent treat.
If you are looking for something savoury to eat, the kitchens at Maan Farms are beloved for their dishes created by Mama Maan herself. Fuel up for berry picking (or playing in the ample farmyard) on bowls of zingy butter chicken or chickpea curry served over rice or taco-style on naan topped with greens.
Their freezers are stocked with curries, samosas, pies, and more to enjoy at home, too, and they have fresh berry pies, kettle corn, and an impressive line of house-made preserves and condiments, from classic strawberry jam to miirach aachar - a super spicy green chilli pickle. Maan Farms also turns their berries into wine, which those 19+ can enjoy on site with a wine tasting.
Kids (and kids at heart) can opt to add on a visit to the farms' animals, including goats, a donkey, pigs, chickens, and alpacas. You'll find many of them out back in a large area decked out with playground apparatus, climbing walls, a zipline, and bounce pad for playtime.
After summer, you can expect the Maan family to turn their farm into a fall haven, complete with pumpkin treats and plenty of spooky fun.
Maan Farms is located at 790 McKenzie Rd in Abbotsford, B.C. Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Video: Strawberry treats, Indian food, and standing u-pick at Maan Farms
@forkingawesomevia Fun summer thing to do about an hour from Vancouver. Where else can you eat butter chicken naan tacos and chocolate covered strawberries, taste wine, shop for jam and samosas, pet goats, and pick your own berries (without bending over)?! #forkingawesome #fraservalley #abbotsford ♬ Summer Vibes - GRLN
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