When you dine at Old Vines Restaurant, you’re not just experiencing fine cuisine—you’re tasting the very soul of the Okanagan landscape. Some of our most unique ingredients come from Scott’s Wild Produce, a dedicated local supplier specializing in wild-foraged plants and mushrooms from BC’s interior.
Scott grew up picking mushrooms, a practice deeply rooted in his connection to the land. In September 2010, he decided to try selling some of his foraged finds. His very first customer was Roger Sleiman at Quails’ Gate, and that one small sale marked the beginning of Scott’s Wild Produce.
Wild Roots, Deep Flavours
While spring finds Scott foraging plants and edible flowers locally, come fall, he commutes to the forested hills around Nakusp to gather mushrooms. “Mushrooms don’t grow much in the Okanagan,” he explains, “but I’m proud to pick mushrooms in the Interior of BC.” Most of BC’s mushrooms come from the coastal rainforest climate, but Scott’s approach brings something different to the table—literally. These Interior mushrooms offer a distinct flavour profile and seasonal timing that sets them apart from their coastal cousins, allowing chefs in the Okanagan to create dishes that stand out from Vancouver kitchens.
The Challenge and Charm of Okanagan Foraging
The Okanagan’s climate is one of extremes: hot, dry summers and cold winters. It’s the most challenging place in BC to forage, but also the most rewarding. “Because of our location and climate,” Scott says, “the selection, timing, and quality of our wild foods can’t be replicated anywhere else.” It’s this uniqueness that makes Okanagan-grown—and foraged—ingredients so special, and so essential to the emerging identity of true ‘Okanagan Cuisine.’
Sustainable by Nature
In an era where food sustainability is top of mind, Scott’s approach is as old as the land itself. “Foraging is shockingly sustainable,” he notes. “These are the only foods that don’t require land, irrigation, shipping, or fertilizer.” Instead, wild plants and mushrooms grow in seasonal abundance, offering nutrient-rich and flavour-packed ingredients without the environmental footprint of traditional agriculture.
Beyond the practical, there’s a deeper cultural importance to Scott’s work. “These foods demonstrate the value of our surroundings and help create a cultural understanding that encourages us to appreciate and protect the land we live on.”
Come Taste the Wild
At Old Vines Restaurant, we believe that the story behind the food is just as important as the flavours on the plate. With foraged ingredients from Scott’s Wild Produce, every bite is a celebration of seasonality, sustainability, and the wild beauty of BC’s Interior.
Find Scott’s Wild Produce here ↓
https://wildproduce.ca/
https://www.instagram.com/kelownaforager/
