The Comox Valley Farmers’ Market has been a community institution since a group of local growers organized in 1992 and began selling their produce directly to their friends and neighbours. Over 25 years later, a handful of original vendors are now joined by dozens of new food producers every Saturday throughout the summer at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds, before moving indoors to the Native Son’s Hall from October – April.

For more than 40 years, it’s been a tradition for Errington’s local artisans and food producers to gather on Saturday mornings in the wooded area behind Errington Park. Over the years, purpose-built wooden farm stalls have been constructed alongside a permanent bandstand and cafe serving hot food and drinks, turning this quaint gathering in the woods into a significant local destination for fresh food, family fun, and community spirit.

Since the market’s inception in 1997, a genuine “Meet me at the Market” feeling has permeated this community who proudly supports their local food producers. This early morning market starts promptly with the ring of the market bell, as friends and neighbours catch up over hot coffee and fresh snacks, and vendors display their fresh farm produce alongside up-and-coming independent food producers.

Just south of Nanaimo in the small community of Cedar, families gather in the grassy fields of Woodbank Primary School to experience the bounty of Vancouver Island. What started as a few local farmers selling produce and preserves on the side of the road more than 20 years ago, the Cedar Farmers’ Market has turned 6 market stalls into 80 – becoming one of the Island’s most popular markets.

The Island Roots Market Co-Op is Nanaimo’s only year-round market, welcoming the community to Beban Park every Wednesday in the summer before moving indoors to the Centennial Building in the fall/winter. This food-focused market is alive with local music, food, and retail as friends, families, and neighbours gather around common tables to visit and listen to live music.

All year round, rain or shine, the iconic Duncan Farmers’ Market invites the community to come out and meet some of the Cowichan Valley’s most popular farmers and food producers, exhibiting their finest selection right behind Duncan City Hall. Depending on the season, up to 110 vendors pack into City Square and down along Ingram Street.

The Peninsula Country Market takes over the historic Saanich Fairgrounds every Saturday morning. At the heart of this vibrant community market are the local families who enjoy a calm country morning on cool green grass, surrounded by the bustle of a farmers’ market as they sip a hot coffee and enjoy a sweet treat among friends. Every week more than 50 local food producers bring the Peninsula’s freshest fruit, vegetables, flowers, baked goods, coffee, seafood, arts, and crafts.

Every year from spring until fall, the James Bay Community Market brings community members of all ages together on a central corner just steps from Victoria’s famous Inner Harbour. In celebration of all that is local, the market is a key part of this tight-knit community, supporting local growers and makers for more than 25 years.

Supporting the farmers on Gabriola and Mudge Islands since the late 1970s, the team behind the Gabriola Farmers’ Market actively fosters the local, safe, and nutritious food systems found all throughout these unique Gulf Islands. Every Saturday morning from February through December, in and around the Gabriola Agricultural Association Co-Op’s Agi Hall, this diverse market connects local food producers and artisans with their island community.

Since 1978, Pender Island’s local economy has relied heavily on the support of year-round residents. Though the population swells with visitors arriving for the summer, it’s the local community whose unwavering support of the Island’s food producers that help make the Pender Island Farmers’ Market what it is today.