Hi, I am located on Vancouver Island (mid-island area) and am wondering if there is anyone growing lemons in sufficient quantity to sell either in stores or farmers' markets. My interest is the 100 Mile Club's recommendations for cooking with foods sourced within 100 miles of one's residence or restaurant. Thank you!
Well being from Victoria I'm probably a little outside your 100 mile range, unless you're south of Bowser. Even if I'm in range, I only have about 2 dozen maturing lemons on my small Meyer lemon shrub, so it's going to be a few years till I'm in a position to be selling my crop. :-) I do have 2 that are turning yellow, however.
Hello Leapfrog, Thank you for your response. I haven't heard back from anyone else but am still hoping I might hear from someone (at this point) anywhere in BC who has enough lemons to market them either in a store, or farmer's market! Lynn
Not likely, I'm afraid. Most people who grow citrus here are pushing the boundaries to see if it can be done. It'd be a poor economic investment to take the risk of trying to produce something commercially, I think. The 100-Mile Diet is a lofty goal and you're to be lauded for it.
Hi Daniel, Thank you for your response. I heard back from Alisa (www.100milediet.org) who mentioned that for lemon flavour they use a chardonnay from Saturna Island (I expect Saturna Island Vineyards but have written to confirm) as "it has a very lemony flavour" Best wishes, Lynn
Another option for lemon flavouring, though again I don't know of a local source, would be lemon grass. However, if you are planning to eat locally over the long term, this is something that you can grow in your garden and store over the winter.