PEI Organic Farmers
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Doctor’s Inn and Organic Gardens
In 1980, in the small western PEI village of Tyne Valley, Paul and Jean Offer were disillusioned with the North American food production system.
In response, the Offers purchased a 50-acre plot of land a few miles from their home to focus on growing healthy food. However, it soon became apparent that living away from the gardens would not work, so they rented land from a next-door neighbour. Paul and Jean also opened a two-bedroom bed and breakfast in their 1860s heritage home, to complement their vision of sustainability.
Now, the Doctor’s Inn and Organic Gardens consists of a two-acre organic market garden and a 2000 square foot heated greenhouse. At the peak of summer the gardens are a beautiful sight, producing a great array of vegetables, along with the free-range hens and ducks raised for meat and eggs. Guests of the B&B are encouraged to walk the gardens, visit the birds, and enjoy the farm experience.
At the Inn, the Offers also provide year round, private dining. Meals are prepared for groups of two to six people per night, by reservation only. During the summer months reservations are made for almost every evening, only slowing down during the winter. The Inn’s meals are gourmet fare, noted in publications such as Canadian Living, Atlantic Insight, Atlantic Advocate, “Where to Eat in Canada”, Maritime Food & Beverage, and Wine Tidings magazines.
This acclaim is predominately a result of the Offer’s passion for good food. All vegetable and fruit ingredients used in the Inn’s meals are from the gardens, with the beef and fish sourced as locally as possible. Since the food is all made fresh - from grinding the flour, to making the pasta, sauces, and desserts - preparation time for the evening meal takes about three hours.
This thought and care translates into a memorable dining experience. For example, when tomatoes are in season, guests are offered a platter of seven or eight heirloom varieties. Most diners have never seen so many different types of tomatoes before, let alone tasted food straight from the garden.
The Offers have also been deeply involved in PEI’s organic community. They helped to form the first PEI Organic Growers Association in 1983, with which they were initially certified. Paul has also maintained a booth at the Charlottetown Farmer’s Market for the past 21 years, a 90-minute drive from his home.
For Paul and Jean, the years have been full of long hours of hard work, but they are proud of what they have accomplished. The Offers still feel passionately about what they do and the impact they have on their customers, teaching people to think about and appreciate food in a whole new way.
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Product
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Description
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Availability
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| VEGETABLES |
| Artichoke |
Globe variety |
August and September
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| Arugula |
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June - October
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| Asparagus |
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May/June
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| Beans |
French Fillet (a smaller, more tender and tasty fresh eating bean) and regular snap |
July, August and September
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| Beets and Beet Greens |
3 colours (Purple, Golden and Chioggia) |
Beet greens available in June, Beets available in July, August, September and October
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| Bok Choi |
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August - September
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| Broccoli |
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September and October
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| Brussel sprouts |
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October - end of December
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| Carrots |
Doctor's Inn boasts 10 different carrot variteies including 5 which are all different colours: Orange, White, Atmoic Red, Purple, and one variety which is almost black in colour |
End of June - Frost
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| Cauliflour |
5 varieties: White, Orange, Green, Purple and Romanesco (pyramid shaped) |
September - November
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| Celeriac |
Celery Root |
September - Christmas
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| Celery |
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July - October
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| Cherries |
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August
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| Chinese Cabbage |
Nappa Cabbage: a shorter, more round, blockier type of Chienese cabbage with a thicker stalk |
Fall
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| Cucumber Pickling Slicing |
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July - September
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| Daikon Asian Radish |
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October and November
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| Endives |
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June - Fall
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| Fava Beans |
Northern Eurpoean and Lebanese favourite |
July and September
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| Fennel |
Bulb, Florence Fennel |
July - October
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| French Shallots |
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September and October
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| Garlic |
Green garlic (not cured) |
June and July
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| Garlic Bulb |
August |
Usually sell out quickly; inquire about availability
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| Leeks |
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Late July - December
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| Lettuce |
26 varieties of coloured Leaf Lettuces, several varieties of Head Lettuce including Romaine and Oak Leaf |
June - October
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| Mesclun Mix |
4 or 5 varieties (mustard greens and spicy mixes as well as mild mixes) |
June -October
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| Onions |
From Scallions to Storage Onions, Red, Yellow and Sweet White varieities available as well as the unique Long Red of Tropea |
June - December
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| Potatoes |
Fingerlings special varieties |
Limited Availability
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| Raddichio |
A bitter salad addition which is bright red in colour |
Fall
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| Spinach |
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June and September, October
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| Summer Squash |
Zuchinni, 5 varieites, 3 colours (Yellow, Green and Striped) as well as a variety of Patty Pan types |
July - September
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| Swiss Chard |
4 colours: Green, Red, Orange, Yellow and White |
End of June through until Fall
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| Tomatillo |
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August and September
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| Tomatoes (Greenhouse and Field) |
Specializing in Heirloom varieties, famous for their black tomatoes, Japanese Black Trifele, Cherries (4 colours of cherry tomatoes), and a special variety called, Matt's Tomato which is 5/8ths of an inch! |
July until Frost
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| Winter Squash |
6 Different varieties, Red Kuri, Kabocha, Butternut, Buttercup, |
September - Spring depending on storage capacity
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HERBS
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| Basil |
Genovese, purple (red Rubin), |
July - September
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| Calendula flowers |
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July - Frost
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| Chives |
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June - July
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| Cilantro |
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June - October
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| English Mint |
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May - September
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| Fennel |
(Leaf) |
June - September
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| Lemon Balm |
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June until July
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| Marjoram |
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July - Frost
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| Oregano |
Greek |
May - September
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| Parsley |
Italian and Curly |
May - October
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| Peppermint |
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May to September
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| Rosemary |
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Year-round
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| Sage |
June - September |
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| Summer Savory |
Fresh and Dry available |
Fresh available in the Fall
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| Tarragon |
French |
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| Thyme |
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June - September
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PRESERVES
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| Black Currant Jam |
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Available only while stock lasts
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| Bread and Butter Pickels |
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"
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| Crabapple Jelly |
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"
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| Crannberry Sauce |
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"
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| Mint Jelly |
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"
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| Mustard Pickels |
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"
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| Peach Conserve |
From their own peach tree! |
"
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| Pear Marmalade |
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"
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| Pickled Beets |
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"
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| Red Currant Jelly |
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"
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| Rhubarb Marmalade |
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Available only while stock lasts
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| Spicy Dill Pickles |
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"
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| Strawberry Jam |
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"
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| Sweet Mix Pickels |
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"
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