2023: year in review

If I had to describe 2023 in one sentence, I’d say it was a year of growth and achievement, but also one of miracles. We’ve shared the highlights below: we invite you to scroll through the photos and descriptions.

We introduced two new cheeses this year: Creekside Feta and Petite Savoie. Have you tried them yet?

In March, Mya had 12 BEAUTIFUL puppies. We (and you!) all fell in love with the cuddly little sweethearts. We added one to our family: our funny, loving Gypsy

This year we started attending farmers’ markets in Vancouver. We’ve loved connecting with so many cheese lovers in the city. Look for us at False Creek and Riley Park in 2024 as well.

In July, Johannes officially became a Canadian citizen, 20 years after immigrating from the Netherlands. It was an exciting day for our family watching him take his oath of citizenship via Zoom.

This was the year that our wholesale sales really took off. We added the Whole Foods and Sobey’s (Safeway and Thrifty’s) to our customer base this summer. Cheesemaking efforts had to be doubled to keep up with demand!

Meet Gus! Our guardian donkey. He came to us very shy and standoffish but now loves pets and treats from our family and customers. He really does not like our pigs though!

The miracle: our oldest son Riley had a 70 foot fall on the mountain behind our farm. Incredibly, he only sustained a broken knee cap, but had to be airlifted off the mountain by the Canadian Forces Cormorant helicopter. We’re so incredibly grateful to our first responders!

Our very first long table dinner took place this August. It was a dreamy, magical evening of fine dining and good conversation under the stars. Tickets for 2024’s dinner are on sale now on our website. We can’t wait to see what Chef Craig Scherer has planned for the 2nd annual dinner!

This year we branched out into large format cheese and charcuterie grazing boards, with spreads for 100 guest weddings. These turned out SO beautiful! Getting married in 2024? Reach out for a quote!

And to wrap up the year: we were thrilled with the results of our very first cheese competition at the Royal in Toronto! Many of our cheeses placed very well, especially when compared to the caliber and expertise of the other cheesemakers who also sent in their cheese for judging. The hightlights? Both Garlic Belper and Garlic Raclette placing 2nd and 3rd respectively, in their class.

With all the accomplishments and events of the past year behind us, we’re looking ahead to 2024 with eagerness and excitement but also some trepidation. Who knows what the New Year will hold for us? As Riley’s accident this summer so clearly showed us, life can change in the blink of an eye. We’re so very thankful to be ending 2023 as a complete family of 7, and we pray for God’s sparing mercies for us and all of you in 2024.

We’re also ending the year with hearts full of thankfulness for you, our wonderful customers. 2023 was a year of change, of economic uncertainty. And yet you still showed us your love and support by choosing our products to feed your families. That fills us with joy - we love knowing that you love and appreciate our cheese, milk, beef, pork, and all the other farm store foods we have in stock. It truly makes the hard work and long hours feel worthwhile. We look forward to continuing our friendships and relationships with all of you in 2024.