Shop > Our Producers > Forest Valley Acres
First generation farmers Matt and Selena Lawrence knew they wanted an acreage and to raise their family on a farm, but securing land and water for a large-scale operation in the Comox Valley was not in the cards. However, after creating a viable farm business model, the couple were able to secure a mortgage and loan to buy a five-acre property in Courtenay and construct a hydroponic lettuce facility called Forest Valley Acres.
"We thought, what can we farm small-scale that is sustainable if we can only afford up to five acres of land? We couldn't have these massive cornfields and you know, water is very scarce on the Island. ... So, we decided a greenhouse was going to be our best bet," Selena says.
With some help from Matt's parents, the couple now manage a fully operational Nutrient Film Technique hydroponic system in which nutrient-rich water continuously flows down the channels past exposed plant roots. Any unused solution is captured at the end of each channel, returned to the reservoir, remixed for nutrient balance and recirculated to the plants.
The system recycles up to 95% of the water, Lawrence says. Having the lettuce's live root ball attached extends its shelf life, to further reduce waste.
Other destinations for their lettuce include local schools and the Comox Valley Food Bank. Lawrence provides elementary students with fresh greens through the Salad Bar program. "We were having some product that didn't quite make the requirements for the grocery stores but was still like a very fine product, very edible. ... And I tried to figure out how to kind of get rid of that product and be able to provide somebody with lettuce instead of just having it in our little farm stand," Lawrence says. "It warms my heart as a mom being able to help these kids get some really fresh, local, clean produce."
Paraphrased from Country Life in BC article.
Thank you for checking out our products! Below is a list of products we carry - typically you will see "featured products" right away that we have on special, and then a category tree on the side to browse specific products. If you're not logged in yet, clicking "add to order" will cause you to be redirected to a login screen - we require that you setup a customer profile before you can actually order. Once you've setup a customer profile, you can easily add items to either your current week order or your "recurring items" order using the delivery options dropdown - here is a quick overview:
Please take the time to read this, it will make your ordering experience more fun!
- Choosing "one time only" tells the system a couple of things:
- If you already have an order generated for the current week (based on your recurring order) then choosing this option will tell the system you'd like the product this week. (of course, this assumes your delivery date hasn't passed already, and that your cut-off time for order changes hasn't passed already)
How do you tell if you have a current order for this week? When you click view/edit my order tab, you will see the products and table rows either have a white background (current week order) or a green background (recurring order items) - or it will say you have no order at all. The other way to easily tell is the header in the products listing on your order page will either say "Current order for 10/12/08" or it will say "Recurring order".
- If your delivery date has already passed this week, or your cut-off time for editing orders has passed, then choosing this option will add the item to your recurring order. The item will show up on your next week order, and then be dropped automatically from the recurring items you'd like to receive.
- If you already have an order generated for the current week (based on your recurring order) then choosing this option will tell the system you'd like the product this week. (of course, this assumes your delivery date hasn't passed already, and that your cut-off time for order changes hasn't passed already)
- Choosing "every week" tells the system:
- If you already have a current week order, that you'd like to add it to both the current week, and the recurring order items so that you continue to receive the product each week.
- If you do not have a current week order, or your order date or cut-off time has already passed, it simply adds it to your recurring order to be generated the next week, and will remain in your recurring order each week until you take it out.
- Choosing "every other week odd" or even (the current week is highlighted), will tell the system:
- If you already have a current week order, that you'd like to add it to both the current week, and the recurring order items so that you continue to receive the product on the week of your choosing.
- If you do not have a current week order, or your order date or cut-off time has already passed, it simply adds it to your recurring order to be generated the next week (depending on if next week is odd or even of course), and will remain in your recurring order until you take it out.
- Choosing "once per month" option will tell the system:
- If you already have a current week order, that you'd like to add it to both the current week, and the recurring order items so that you continue to receive the product once per month (on the first delivery of each month you will receive the product).
- If you do not have a current week order, or your order date or cut-off time has already passed, it simply adds it to your recurring order to be generated the next week (depending on if next week is the first order for you of the month), and will remain in your recurring order until you take it out.
When you click "add to order" you will get a confirmation that the item was added to your order - you can view the order summary at any time by clicking the "view/edit" order tab. Happy ordering!
Shop > Our Producers > Forest Valley Acres
First generation farmers Matt and Selena Lawrence knew they wanted an acreage and to raise their family on a farm, but securing land and water for a large-scale operation in the Comox Valley was not in the cards. However, after creating a viable farm business model, the couple were able to secure a mortgage and loan to buy a five-acre property in Courtenay and construct a hydroponic lettuce facility called Forest Valley Acres.
"We thought, what can we farm small-scale that is sustainable if we can only afford up to five acres of land? We couldn't have these massive cornfields and you know, water is very scarce on the Island. ... So, we decided a greenhouse was going to be our best bet," Selena says.
With some help from Matt's parents, the couple now manage a fully operational Nutrient Film Technique hydroponic system in which nutrient-rich water continuously flows down the channels past exposed plant roots. Any unused solution is captured at the end of each channel, returned to the reservoir, remixed for nutrient balance and recirculated to the plants.
The system recycles up to 95% of the water, Lawrence says. Having the lettuce's live root ball attached extends its shelf life, to further reduce waste.
Other destinations for their lettuce include local schools and the Comox Valley Food Bank. Lawrence provides elementary students with fresh greens through the Salad Bar program. "We were having some product that didn't quite make the requirements for the grocery stores but was still like a very fine product, very edible. ... And I tried to figure out how to kind of get rid of that product and be able to provide somebody with lettuce instead of just having it in our little farm stand," Lawrence says. "It warms my heart as a mom being able to help these kids get some really fresh, local, clean produce."
Paraphrased from Country Life in BC article.

"We thought, what can we farm small-scale that is sustainable if we can only afford up to five acres of land? We couldn't have these massive cornfields and you know, water is very scarce on the Island. ... So, we decided a greenhouse was going to be our best bet," Selena says.
With some help from Matt's parents, the couple now manage a fully operational Nutrient Film Technique hydroponic system in which nutrient-rich water continuously flows down the channels past exposed plant roots. Any unused solution is captured at the end of each channel, returned to the reservoir, remixed for nutrient balance and recirculated to the plants.
The system recycles up to 95% of the water, Lawrence says. Having the lettuce's live root ball attached extends its shelf life, to further reduce waste.
Other destinations for their lettuce include local schools and the Comox Valley Food Bank. Lawrence provides elementary students with fresh greens through the Salad Bar program. "We were having some product that didn't quite make the requirements for the grocery stores but was still like a very fine product, very edible. ... And I tried to figure out how to kind of get rid of that product and be able to provide somebody with lettuce instead of just having it in our little farm stand," Lawrence says. "It warms my heart as a mom being able to help these kids get some really fresh, local, clean produce."
Paraphrased from Country Life in BC article.
IMPORTANT!
We're sorry, this product is only available for the current week and it appears you are either past the cut-off time or have already received your delivery.
Forest Valley Acres
Cilantro Bunch
Out of stock
One bunch of cilantro with roots attached for longer-lasting freshness. Grown hydroponically in Courtenay.
Delivered in plastic bag.
IMPORTANT!
We're sorry, this product is only available for the current week and it appears you are either past the cut-off time or have already received your delivery.
Forest Valley Acres
Dill Bunch
Sale price valid for deliveries between Feb 20-26
One bunch of fresh dill with roots attached for longer-lasting freshness. Grown hydroponically in Courtenay.
Delivered in plastic bag.
IMPORTANT!
We're sorry, this product is only available for the current week and it appears you are either past the cut-off time or have already received your delivery.
Crunchy, strong leaves - great for using as wraps in lieu of tortillas, or tear up to use in salads, sandwiches, burgers, and more.
Hydroponically grown in Courtenay from Canadian non-GMO seeds. If desired, you can keep the roots moist for longer storage.
Weighs 6-8oz (170-225g). In plastic bag.
IMPORTANT!
We're sorry, this product is only available for the current week and it appears you are either past the cut-off time or have already received your delivery.
Crisp, uniform leaves. Great in salads, wraps, and sandwiches. Their largest leaf lettuce.
Hydroponically grown in Courtenay from certified organic seeds. If desired, you can keep the roots moist for longer storage.
Weighs 6-8oz (170-225g). In plastic bag.
IMPORTANT!
We're sorry, this product is only available for the current week and it appears you are either past the cut-off time or have already received your delivery.
One bunch of parsley with roots attached for longer-lasting freshness. Grown hydroponically in Courtenay.
Delivered in plastic bag.
IMPORTANT!
We're sorry, this product is only available for the current week and it appears you are either past the cut-off time or have already received your delivery.
Mixed lettuce leaves, including butterhead, green leaf, and red leaf lettuces.
1/2 lb (225g, or 8 oz) in plastic bag.