If there’s one thing every visitor to Nova Scotia enjoys, it’s the food. No matter where you go in the province – whether you’re a seafood lover or landlubber – you’ll find the makings of a delicious meal. From Atlantic lobster and Digby scallops, to Oxford blueberries and Annapolis Valley fiddleheads, if you’re a locavore – someone who enjoys locally sourced food – you’ll love what Nova Scotia has to offer.
The breadbasket of Nova Scotia has long been the Annapolis Valley. Nestled between the north and south mountains, the valley is home to many farms, u-picks and vineyards that are popular destinations for anyone seeking farm fresh produce or a local wine. In addition to a wide range of fruits and vegetables, the Annapolis Valley is famous for its apples – a fact that is celebrated each spring in the four-day Apple Blossom Festival.
Of course, many people visit Nova Scotia for its world-renowned seafood. Depending on the season, you can watch fishing boats head out in the early morning and return later in the day to unload catches of lobster, fish, scallops and many other types of seafood. The docks are not only the perfect place to seek out the freshest seafood but to also catch a glimpse of the work that goes into bringing that seafood to market.
For those who can’t make it to the farm or dock, farmers markets can be found in just about every city and town across Nova Scotia. North America’s oldest farmers can be found in Halifax. While the Halifax Farmer’s Market has been operating for over 260 years, its new Seaport location is also one the most modern, hosting farmers and vendors inside an environmentally friendly and sustainable building. The market and its more than 200 vendors is a locavore’s dream, featuring products, Nova Scotian wines and local fruit and vegetables from every corner of the province!
Enjoying this natural bounty is as simple as visiting one of the many restaurants that pride themselves on using local ingredients, where you’ll find delicious foods prepared with the best of the sea and the land. Or, if you’re going to prepare some authentic home cooking, there are a wide-range of recipes that will help you make the most of Nova Scotia’s natural offerings. Whether you’re looking for something simple or fancy, you’re bound to find something to love!