The Saskatoon Farm is located in Foothills County, about 20 minutes southeast of Calgary.

Described on its website as a one-of-a-kind destination for berry-picking excursions, quality produce and handcrafted fare, the farm includes a garden centre, farmers market, seasonal artisan markets and a popular restaurant.

However, in a post on social media, the Saskatoon Farm team announced the restaurant would be closed on Wednesday after a number of customers experienced flu-like symptoms after dining there on Tuesday, July 15, and Wednesday, July 16.

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Farm management claims the issue was first brought their attention on July 17, and suggests “unprecedented changes to our water quality” may be responsible.

In an email to Global News, one of the farm’s owners, Seann Hamer, said, “with the heavy rains last week we had groundwater get into our cisterns where we normally truck water in for the restaurant.  As soon as we noticed we switched to our treated well, purged all our affected lines with chlorine and switched to bottled water and pop.”

Hamer said they also “had to throw out many produced items that might have been affected.”

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While management insisted AHS did not initially order the closure, late Wednesday the farm posted an update on social media that said AHS has ordered the closure of the restaurant, bakery and Red House “until conclusive results are returned from their testing facilities.”

The statement continued by saying “We are fully cooperating with AHS and are taking all necessary actions to address the situation and work toward a safe reopening in accordance with their directives. At this time, we do not have any information regarding when our food service facilities will be permitted to reopen.”

The farm’s gift store, farmers market and offices remain open.

The Saskatoon berry U-pick will also be open this weekend.