Guide - 416

Restaurants

Don Mee

Heartwood Kitchen Food Outfitter

Website

Heartwood Kitchen is located in Ucluelet B.C. and serves freshly prepared, all-day classics and unique West Coast feast dinners. Heartwood Kitchen is the culinary workshop located in the historic Glendale house.

Heartwood Kitchen is also part of our Island Eats series; watch the video for some tips from Chef Ian Riddick about the restaurant's recipe featured in the Island Eats cookbook.

The Island Eats Series is proudly sponsored by Gordon Food Service Canada.


HEARTWOOD KITCHEN FOOD OUTFITTER
1682 Peninsula Rd, Ucluelet | (250) 726-2200
heartwoodfood.com


 

Il Falcone

Website

Welcome to Il Falcone. Inspired by the exuberance of Italian cooking and the superb ingredients of the Comox Valley, Chef Andrey Durbach prepares classical Italian cuisine and handmade pastas with nightly specials featuring local purveyors. An extensive list of regional Italian wines complements the menu. 

Trained at The Culinary Institute of America, New York, Chef Durbach has spent the last 20+ years operating some of Vancouver’s best loved neighbourhood restaurants: Etoile, Parkside, La Buca, Pied-a-Terre and The Sardine Can. While heading up the kitchen at Vancouver’s legendary Bishop’s Restaurant in the Fall of 2016, the opportunity arose to purchase the charming yellow house and orchard garden in downtown Courtenay that has become Il Falcone. With Il Falcone, Andrey and his team are delighted to bring their love of food, wine and restaurant culture to the Comox Valley.


IL FALCONE
536 6th Street, Courtenay | (250) 871-7770
ilfalcone.ca


As part of our Island Eats Series, take a look at this video giving you an inside look into their romantic, tucked-away location:

The Island Eats Series is proudly sponsored by Gordon Food Service Canada.

La Belle Parksville

La Belle Parksville is a fast-food restaurant that serves Quebec-style dishes. They use fresh ingredients and quality products, creating menu items that are hearty and filling. Choose from classic options like poutine, burgers, subs and pizzas.


LA BELLE PARKSVILLE
6-1209 East Island Highway, Parksville | (250) 947-9332
labelleparksville.com


Locals Restaurant

Website

Locals Restaurant is committed to closing the producer-consumer gap by through putting a name to all our local suppliers and identifying them on our menus. Since opening in 2008, Locals has set a new standard for the Comox Valley’s renowned food culture.


LOCALS RESTAURANT
1760 Riverside Lane, Courtenay | (250) 338-6493
localscomoxvalley.com


Locally grown and produced foods are fresh, and fresh is synonymous with healthy. Health conscious people are willing to make the little extra effort to source food grown and produced locally. At Locals Restaurant, they celebrate the uniqueness of the Comox Valley and Vancouver Island, and hold a strong belief in local environmental sustainability and quality. They are dedicated to providing a quality dining experience through strong connections with local food producers in order to provide quality products, offered with heartfelt service.

Butchers & Meat Purveyors

Double R Meats

Website

Double R Meats is an old-fashioned butcher shop and deli in Port Alberni, offering in-store made sausages, pepperoni, bacon, jerky and cordon blue. They also carry European cheese and deli meats, as well as eggs, country pies, and whole frying chickens.


DOUBLE R MEATS
3030 3rd Ave, Port Alberni | (250) 724-4472
doublermeatsalberni.ca


Whether you want that perfect steak to grill for your sweetheart, a tender roast to cook in your smoker, or a few unique and tasty items to decorate your charcuterie board with, Double R Meats has the selection for you. Their knowledgeable staff will help you determine just the right cut of meat for the occassion and can give you recommendations on how to best prepare the meat to bring out its best flavours. 

Health & Medical

DR Health Solutions

Website

DR Health Solutions is based out of Courtenay and was created by Denise Ropp with the vision of providing therapeutic and restorative medical and lifestyle services to all people.


DR HEALTH SOLUTIONS
368 11th Street, Courtenay | (250) 941-4999
drhealthsolutions.com


 

Denise is a retired nurse with over 30 years experience and a passion for making holistic wellness accessible. She demonstrates the need for health beyond just our physical bodies by showing the interconnectedness of mental, spiritual and emotional health. She also goes beyond the individual and is certified to audit organizations based on a myriad of factors to help them improve their overall workplace mental health. DR Health Solutions offers Family Practice Medicine, a Cannabis Specialty Clinic, Occupational Health & Safety and Wellness. The foundation of her practice is to encourage her clients into healthy lifestyle choices that contribute to their overall wellness and quality of life. 

Feisty Ferdy

Website

Feisty Ferdy Organics originated in Australia from a wish by a doctor to make effective, safe and pampering skincare for her sister who is also a doctor and is allergic to conventional skincare products because of the chemicals common in these products. 

Located on Vancouver Island, Feisty Ferdy Organics is a small, young family business that makes small batch, handcrafted premium skincare with the aim to help people with normal skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, sun-damaged skin, eczema, allergies, lines and wrinkles that nothing seems to help. This local business uses special formulas containing organic essential oils (certified where available) and genuine natural ingredients that nourish, repair and enhance the skin.


FEISTY FERDY
Duncan, B.C. | (587) 998-8428
feistyferdy.com


If you have tried every product on the market and have found nothing satisfactory, or you want to guide your children on a healthy journey through life by not putting products with possibly harmful chemicals on their skin—the largest organ in the body—this is a good range of skincare products you shouldn't miss.

 

Our skin is the first line of defence against the dangers to health put in our path by synthetic preservatives, artificial colouring, artificial fragrances, cheap product fillers as well as UV rays, chemicals and toxins in the environment. These all play a major daily role in adversely impacting the health of our skin and our body.

Current retail outlets: 49th Parallel, Duncan and Chemainus. Home Hardware, Nanaimo and Duncan. Great Greens Duncan. Sweet Meadows Cobble Hill. Pomme Natural Market. Buckerfields, Duncan. Country Grocer, Cobble Hill and Nanaimo.

 

Breweries

Driftwood Brewery

Website

Driftwood Brewery is a Victoria-based craft brewery; born from the idea that you want to consume food and drink that brings you joy. With just four ingredients you can create myriad different beer styles, and in recent years, there have been many new hop varieties developed which are expanding the possibilities even more. Craft beer has been a part of Victoria’s food and beverage culture for more than 30 years, and Driftwood is grateful to have a place in this astute community of drinkers for the past 13 years.


DRIFTWOOD BREWERY
836 Viewfield Road, Victoria | (250) 381-2739
driftwoodbeer.com


After years of rapid growth, and operating out of three locations, Driftwood finally secured a lease to take over all 59,000 square feet of 836 Viewfield Rd., in early 2020. This meant that a year of navigating a global pandemic, happened to coincide with the move of an entire brewery - alongside huge renovations. Now consolidated, and with more than 14,000 extra square feet of space, the first-ever Driftwood tasting lounge + kitchen is nearing completion - with a highly anticipated opening in the fall. The extra space has also allowed Driftwood to purchase three 105hL French oak foeders; expanding the highly-regarded sour program, a pilot brew system; to play with one-off recipes (and bring back old favourites), and a state-of-the-art 5000 Litre Distillation system; launching Driftwood Spirits late-2021.

In a world filled with mass-produced stuff, being connected to what you consume is what consistently drives the Driftwood team in the pursuit of innovation and quality.

 

LoveShack Libations

Coffee & Tea Houses

Drip Coffee

Drumroaster Coffee

Farmers Markets

Duncan Farmers' Market

Website

200 Craig St., Duncan

Saturday 10 AM - 2 PM

duncanfarmersmarket.ca

Duncan Farmers' Market

Errington Farmers' Market

Website

Saturdays, 10:00am - 1:00pm
May - September

Esquimalt Farmers Market

Website

The Esquimalt Farmers Market exists to provide a marketplace that serves as a community gathering point for relationship-building, access to healthy local food, and equitable sustainability in Esquimalt.


ESQUIMALT FARMERS MARKET
1200 Esquimalt Rd, Victoria
esquimaltmarket.com


The market was put together by the community, for the community in 2014, and continues to grow and thrive ever since. With over 90 local vendors, stop by every week from April to the end of November for all your grocery, gift, and gathering needs! See their website for specific dates and hours.

Esquimalt Winter Market

Website

Select Thursdays, 4:30pm - 7:30pm
October - April

Gabriola Farmers' Market

Website

Saturdays, 10:00am - 2:00pm
May - October

Goldstream Farmers' Market

Website

Saturdays, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Mid May -  Late October

Honeymoon Bay Market

Website

Saturdays, 10:00am - 2:00pm
May - October

Hornby Island Farmers' Market

Website

Saturdays, 11:00am - 2:00pm
May - September

Wednesdays, 11:00am - 2:00pm
July - August

Island Roots Market

Website

Wednesdays 4:00pm - 6:30pm
May - October

Island Roots Winter Indoor Market

Website

2300 Bowen Rd., Nanaimo

Wednesday 4 PM - 6:30 PM

islandrootsmarket.com

James Bay Community Market

Website

The James Bay Community Market is open regardless of whether the sun is shining, or the rain is pouring on Saturdays from May to September. From 9am to 3pm, you'll find a wide variety of vendors selling their local products, from vegetables, cider, fruit, crafts, and other unique food products. The Market also showcases live local music from some of the Islands best musicians. It's a beautiful place to gather with your friends and make some new ones while doing your weekly shopping and supporting local farmers, food producers and craft creators.


JAMES BAY COMMUNITY MARKET
494 Superior St, Victoria
jamesbaymarket.com


Lake Cowichan Farmers' Market

Website

Sundays, 10:00am - 2:00pm
May - September

Magnolia Court Summer Market

Website

Wednesdays, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Mid June - Late August

 

Groceries & Markets

Eat Fresh Urban Market

Edible Island Whole Foods Market

Edible Island Whole Foods Market

Hornby Island Co-op

Website

Hornby Island Co-op was started in 1955 as a way for island residents to provide themselves with food, fuel, household and hardware goods at fair, reasonable prices. It was, and still is, a way to combine the community buying power and resources for a common advantage. Their deep roots in the local community make them a uniquely Hornby organization. Their mission is to provide the quality of facilities, goods, and services that encourages member and employee confidence and commitment to our cooperative.


HORNBY ISLAND CO-OP
5875 Central Road, Hornby Island, BC | (250) 335-1121
hornbyislandcoop.ca 


Together, they want to be the thriving and vibrant economic hub and heart of Hornby Island and are committed to improving the social and economic well-being of the community. They promote environmentally, socially, financially responsible, and innovative practices and value their unique and diverse island culture.

 

Farms, Orchards & Mills

Eatmore Sprouts and Greens Ltd.

Website

Adding a high level of nutrition to every meal is the name of the game with this Comox Valley based fresh sprouts and greens company. The mission at Eatmore Sprouts is to provide fresh, locally grown, organic sprouts, in the Comox Valley and beyond for a happier, healthier planet.


EATMORE SPROUTS AND GREENS
2604 Grieve Road, Courtenay | (250) 338-4860
eatmoresprouts.com


A family-run business, owners Glenn and Carmen Wakeling have two wonderful kids who have been raised eating sprouts and greens. The Eatmore family includes 45 employees, some who have been with Eatmore for over 10 years.

Glenn and Carmen are committed to organic food production and they are enthusiastic about local organic farming. “We love what we do because we are able to feed people in British Columbia and the Western Provinces 365 days a year!”

Galey Farms

Website

Open Saturday and Sundays,
9:00am to 4:30pm
Purchase tickets online at galeyfarms.net

Lavender & Black

Website

Lavender & Black is a beautiful organic lavender farm on Salt Spring Island that develops sustainable products to benefit your health.


LAVENDER & BLACK
256 Pringle Farm Rd, Salt Spring Island | 778-875-1877
lavenderandblack.ca


They grow and harvest certified organic lavender, immortelle (helichrysum) and also incorporate other wild crafted ingredients such as tree lichen and arbutus their products. These products are all health-driven creations purported to be good for your skin and to help you sleep and relax. They pride themselves on the complete transparency of their business processes, so you can see exactly what goes in to growing, harvesting distilling their products in their studio. It's also a beautiful place to visit with gorgeous views of Stuart Channel.

Cafes & Bistros, Retail - Food

El Faro Fusion

Website

At El Faro, they create 100% gluten-free, naturally hand-crafted fusion cuisine. They believe that good food heals the body as well as the soul. Each dish is vibrant, delicious, fresh and fun and made with locally sourced (when possible), organic and sustainable ingredients.


EL FARO FUSION
2305 Otter Bay Road, Pender Island, B.C. | (250) 951-6224
elfarofusion.com


 

Wherever possible, they serve raw and uncooked dishes, not just for the health benefits but also for flavour and freshness. Simply put, raw food carries all of the excellent advantages of good food with none of the disadvantages. The ‘Bliss Bowl’ is to die for and everything they prepare will delight your senses and inspire passion, health and vitality!

Vineyards & Wineries

Emerald Coast Vineyards

Garry Oaks Winery

Hornby Island Estate Winery

Website

Hornby Island Estate Winery has been producing a variety of delicious wines, ports, and sherry made with local British Columbia fruits and berries since 1999.


HORNBY ISLAND ESTATE WINERY
7000 Anderson Drive, ​Hornby Island | (250) 335-3019
hornbywine.com


Founders and owners John Grayson and Joan Costello take great care of their 20-year old orchard in order to handcraft their wine on-site. Hornby Island Estate Winery is especially well-known for it's  "traditional" variety of sulfite-free sparkling wines that are created with the winery's proprietary fine bubble technology. These bubbly beverages comes in tasty flavours like blueberry, cranberry and raspberry.

Hotels, Inns & B&Bs, Travel & Leisure

Fairmont Empress

Website

Fairmont Empress is a celebrated destination hotel that is uniquely Canadian and entirely West Coast inspired. Recently named Best Historic Hotel in the Americas by Historic Hotels Worldwide, Fairmont Empress is recognized as one of Top 21 Iconic Hotels in the World by National Geographic Traveler magazine, honoured with Travel + Leisure Magazine’s World’s Best Award for Top 10 City Hotels in Canada and regarded as a Condé Nast Readers Choice and Gold List Hotel.


FAIRMONT EMPRESS
721 Government Street, Victoria | (250) 384-8111
fairmont.com/empress


This Forbes Four-Star, 4-Diamond property offers 464 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, Willow Stream Spa with signature West Coast experiences, Q at the Empress Restaurant featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine and award winning wine list, Q Bar’s regionally focused cocktail culture, and a reimagined Fairmont Gold Lounge with stunning harbour views.

 

Magnolia Hotel & Spa

Website

The Magnolia Hotel & Spa is a timeless boutique hotel located in the heart of Victoria, where you can expect unparalleled service, personalized rooms, fine dining and relaxing spa treatments. 


MAGNOLIA HOTEL & SPA
623 Courtney St, Victoria | 1-877-624-6654
magnoliahotel.com


This beautifully decorated hotel will give you the luxury experience you deserve when you visit the stunning harbour town of Victoria. Step outside and have all the shopping in the downtown core right at your fingertips, or stroll around the lovely harbour and breathe in the fresh ocean air. You also get to enjoy the stunning view from your room, which features floor-to-ceiling windows to let in the sunshine. Indulge yourself with a spa day in one of their relaxing treatment rooms, and then treat yourself to dinner at the Courtney Room for the full luxury experience. With numerous accolades and awards to their name, this elegant hotel lives up to its reputation.

 

 

CSAs & Farm Boxes, Farm Markets & Stands, Farmers Markets, Farms, Orchards & Mills

FarmFolk CityFolk

Website

FarmFolk CityFolk is a not for profit society working with farm and city to cultivate local, sustainable food systems across British Columbia. Our projects provide access to and protection of farmland; support local growers and producers; and engage communities in the celebration of local food.

Activities, Catering & Meal Delivery, Event Venue

Feast Tofino

Website

Feast Tofino collaborates with various chefs, restaurants, fishers, foragers and farmers local to the Tofino-Ucluelet area. They create a boat-to-table feast experience that brings fishers, chefs and restaurants of Tofino, Ucluelet and surrounding communities together for catered events.


FEAST TOFINO
Various locations, Tofino
feasttofino.com


During the three-day event in the fall, Feast Tofino offers events from intimate dinners to restaurant take-overs to community events, with each feast celebrating the culture and food of Vancouver Island.

Coffee & Tea Houses, Coffee Roasters

Fernwood Coffee

Website

Fernwood Coffee believes that coffee is about community and connecting with places and people, and the way they have become a neighbourhood hub reflects their vision to be an integral part of the community. It's where people gather to catch up, hold meetings, and start their day. 


FERNWOOD COFFEE
1105 Caledonia Ave, Victoria | (250) 383-5999
fernwoodcoffee.com


The roastery side of the business focuses on roasting and crafting the finest coffees, which are constantly being tested and experimented with to highlight the best that each coffee has to offer. In their cafe, they pride themselves on sourcing their ingredients from local farmers, butchers, fishmongers, and bakers, curating a menu that is fresh and delicious. Pair a hot cup of freshly roasted coffee with a fresh cafe treat and start your morning off just right.

French Press Coffee Roasters

Website

French Press Coffee Roasters, with locations in Coombs and Qualicum Beach, pride themselves in sourcing & roasting some of the very best coffee available.


FRENCH PRESS COFFEE ROASTERS

Qualicum Beach
692 Primrose Street | (250) 594-4477

Coombs
2340 Alberni Highway | (250) 594-4477

fpcoffeeroasters.com


Their cafe serves their own roasted coffees, hot chocolate made with only Belgian chocolate and local milk, and teas supplied by the folks at Westholme Tea. Baked goods are made fresh each day in-house and include delicious muffins, lemon tarts, sticky buns, carrot cake and a number of seasonal offerings—often available as gluten-free.

Don't just take our word for the deliciousness of their coffee: they won a gold medal from Golden Bean North America for their Ethiopia Kilenso Moconissa. They’ve also won one silver and four bronze medals for their other coffees.

They are also part of our Island Eats video series, where you can get an inside look into their recipe contributions to the Island Eats cookbook.

The Island Eats Series is proudly sponsored by Gordon Food Service Canada.

 

Level Ground Trading

Website

Level Ground Trading is a coffee company that is striving to change coffee culture. They are Fair Trade, connecting directly with their small-scale producers in Ethiopia, Colombia, Peru and beyond. The company is unapologetic in their approach and are transparent about who is growing, harvesting and shipping their coffee beans. In 1997, they began connecting with small-scale farms in Colombia and have slowly worked on expanding; now, they’re a team of over 25 people who work in sales, accounting, production and the tasting room.


LEVEL GROUND TRADING
1757 Sean Heights, Victoria | 1 (888) 565-6633
levelground.com


Their tasting room isn't just any other tasting room: it has a "fast bar" and a "slow bar." The fast bar is for your in-and-out caffeine hit, whereas the slow bar is about the experience of coffee drinking. The latter offers coffee flights and various brew methods to choose from in a welcoming cafe that encourages you to stay awhile. All your coffee desires are covered, from their “Dark & Strong” to “Light & Juicy.” And if you find yourself a little peckish while you're sipping, they've also got you covered there, as Rock Coast Confections supplies the tasting room with treats that pair well with coffee.

Level Ground Trading has created a space where coffee is more than just a morning brew: it's a connection and a contribution to people making a positive impact on the coffee industry.  

Media, TV & Radio, Retail - Non-Food

Figure 1 Publishing

Website

Figure 1 Publishing publishes book in food and drink, art and design, and business. They run their business for the love of bookss and according to their motto: Contemporary. Innovative. Beautiful. Books. They publish books that engage your mind on topics like business, science, social movements and the environment, as well as beautiful illustrated books covering topics like art, architecture, design and food.


FIGURE 1 PUBLISHING
227 W. 18th Avenue, Vancouver | (778) 991-5549
figure1publishing.com


 

Fish Markets, Fisheries & CSFs, Retail - Food

Finest at Sea Ocean Products Ltd.

Website

With quality in mind, this boutique-style seafood company offers locally sourced and sustainability-focused seafood to the West Coast. Finest At Sea Ocean Products Ltd. is the leading provider of the finest quality seafood on the West Coast.


FINEST AT SEA OCEAN PRODUCTS LTD.
27 Erie Street, Victoria | (604) 266-1904
finestatsea.com


All of their products are 100% wild and are caught by their own fishermen through sustainable fishing practices. They have been operating since 1977 as F.A.S. Seafood Producers Ltd. Finest At Sea was established as a "boutique-style" seafood company in Victoria and has expanded to several locations in Vancouver.

Finest At Sea’s offer of a wide variety of seafood, including: Halibut, Sablefish, Salmon, Spot Prawns, Albacore Tuna, Dungeness Crab, Mussels, Oysters, Scallops, as well as many smoked and prepared products. Combined with state of the art processing, storage facilities, transportation and delivery systems, Finest At Sea’s products are your #1 choice for the finest seafood on the West Coast.

Kitchen & Home, Kitchenwares

Flying Fish

Website

Located in a heritage building in downtown Nanaimo, Flying Fish offers 6,400 square feet of cooking, living and giving. Flying Fish offers a fantastic selection of fun, funky and functional items for your home. From custom-made sofas to top quality bed linen to kitchen essentials and jewelry, they have everything you need for any hosting occasion.


FLYING FISH
180 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, B.C. | (250) 754-2104
flyingfishnanaimo.ca 


Hansell & Halkett Vintage Home Decor

Website

Hansell & Halkett was born out of the love for good quality timeless pieces and a desire to reduce our footprint, while at the same time creating ascetically pleasing spaces that we enjoy spending time in. 

Ashley and Patricia’s carefully curated collection is the perfect mix of rustic farmhouse and classic French Country furniture and home décor. Together, they offer a collection of unique home decor and garden pieces, vintage textiles, floral arrangements and potted creations, as well as absolutely fabulous one-of-a kind pieces of furniture.

Their space will leave you wanting to sit down, kick up your feet and stay awhile.


HANSELL & HALKETT VINTAGE HOME DECOR
Garden Court 105-2360 Beacon Ave., Sidney | (778) 351-2773
hansellhalkett.com


Despite their best efforts, Ashley and Patricia just couldn’t avoid the passion for giving old pieces new life; it was in their blood! 

Patricia’s father, a collector of everything, would buy up every last piece from an estate sale because he couldn’t see it go to waste. Despite being a self-described minimalist, Patricia couldn’t resist the draw to give old pieces new life. 

Ashley on the other hand had a more sophisticated antique upbringing. Her mother was the owner operated of a well-known antique consignment shop. Growing up in the shop, Ashley brings a keen eye for timeless quality pieces. She can make any room look polished and elegant.

 

Cafes & Bistros, Restaurants

Forage Farm & Kitchen

Website

True farm-to-table service is a food experience unlike any other, and this Hornby Island restaurant does it right with its incredible local farm delights!


FORAGE FARM & KITCHEN
5875 Central Road, Hornby Island | (250) 335-1487
forage-farm-kitchen.business.site


 

Right in the heart of the ringside market is a delightful cafe with meals prepared from locally sourced ingredients. Jamara Cronia and her family are local organic farmers, supplying the restaurant with unbelievable fresh produce, grown right on Hornby Island. 

Their menu varies from breakfast to salads to burgers and they offer an exciting drink menu that also changes throughout the year. With an ever-changing and seasonally inspired menu, Forage will undoubtedly provide you with one of the best dining experiences on Hornby Island. 

 

Il Covo Trattoria

Website

Located in a 100 year old heritage building in historic James Bay, steps from the Victoria Inner Harbour, Il Covo Trattoria has been family owned and authentically Italian since 2014.

The casual, rustic Italian food will make you feel as though you’ve walked in off the streets of Italy into a warm old-world trattoria. Originally from Genova Italy, the owner has been sharing flavors of Italy in Victoria since 1999. At Il Covo Trattoria, the menu consists of family recipes and northern Italian classics offering freshly made in-house traditional cuisine.

Daily features are chosen from all regions of Italy…depending on the passionate inspiration of the Chef and kitchen that day! You’ll enjoy house-made pastas, focaccia bread, classic desserts, traditional dishes, antipasti and more. With attention to detail, each signature dish is beautifully presented using fresh, locally sourced seasonal ingredients, along with herbs and edible flowers that are seasonally grown in the restaurant garden.

Behind the bar is an offering of classic Italian beverages and creative craft cocktails with a focus on the season, along with a selection from local distilleries and breweries. The thoughtful wine list features Italian, international and BC wineries. During the warmer season enjoy dining al fresco in the popular Italian inspired garden patio.

Il Covo is a memorable and truly authentic Italian dining experience perfect for special occasions, intimate dinner dates or parties.

Come and enjoy a taste of Italy! Buon Appetito!

 

Tags: Authentic Italian

Retail - Food

Forest for Dinner

Website

Today Forest for Dinner small team is based out in Port Alberni where they process and package in their facility small-batch selections of mushrooms, greens, berries, and spices into fresh, dried, frozen, & preserved market-ready products.


FOREST FOR DINNER
Unit 500, 3140 Harbour Road, Port Alberni | (250) 206-3655
www.forestfordinner.ca


Forest for Dinner vision is one where people reconnect with the bountiful nature surrounding them by way of improving their food sovereignty. Through education, experience, and flavour, they seek to transmit their passion for foraging and eating wild food.
Order online your favorite wild food products or visit them in person at one of their farmer market locations!

Hornby Organic

Website

Hornby Organic offers energy bars packed with protein and whole food ingredients.


HORNBY ORGANIC
4-1673 Ryan Road E, Comox | 250-818-7658
hornbyorganic.com


Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are filled with the best nature has to offer: mountains, lakes, oceans, forests, beaches and so much more. Next time you're out exploring these beautiful lands, grab one (or two or three or four...we won't judge, they're delicious!) of Hornby Organic's Energy Bars. WIth 10-12 grams of plant-based protien, these bars will give you the energy you need to fully enjoy your hike, kayak or whatever other adventure you might be on. The bars are dairy-free, gluten-free and soy-free, so they promise to be a treat for those who have dietary restrictions as well. 

With so many flavours to choose from, you're going to want to take every opportunity you can to grab one of these bars on your way out the door.

Islanders Fresh Authentic Mexican Sauce Inc.

Website

A family business based on making and selling artisanal fresh Mexican sauces, using traditional recipes and fresh ingredients. They aim to give their custumers a healthy authentic Mexican taste that is gluten-free, vegan, no sugar added, and free of artificial colours or flavours.


 

ISLANDERS FRESH AUTHENTIC MEXICAN SAUCE INC.
2112 Aaron Way, Nanaimo | (778) 269-2922
islandersfreshauthenticmexican.com


Jenny Marie's Cracker Company

Website

Jenny Marie's Cracker Company handmakes delicious, vegan crackers using minimal ingredients with a lot of flavour. Enjoy the crackers as the perfect accompaniment to your charcuterie board, or simply enjoy munching on them by themselves—they're that good.


JENNY MARIE'S CRACKER COMPANY
Victoria
jennymariescrackers.com


Jenny Marie has always had a love of baking, and her business beginnings were baking for a farmer's market in Victoria in 2011. The crackers quickly became her biggest hit, with customers clamouring for them week after week, so before long, she realized she needed to focus all her energy into the crisp little goods and foray into retail in 2012.

The crackers are baked fresh to order, and Jenny Marie recommends branching out in your flavour matches; for example, try some strawberry jam with your Pepper and Sea Salt crackers—she swears it's delicious! 

Keltsmaht Kelp

Website

A First Nations led company, Keltsmaht Kelp is located in the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Hahoulthee (Territory) and specializes in premium and organic kelp products. They sustainably harvest all their kelp off the Clayoquot Sound coast, hand-processsing the product in Tofino. The type of kelp they harvest is called Macrocystis integrifolia, which is to known to significantly benefit crops. Their kelp probiotic is great for lawns, household plants, golf courses, greenhouses, nurseries and urban gardens to increase vegetative growth, accelerate crop metabolism and enhance a plant's nutrient uptake. 


KELTSMAHT KELP
Tofino | (250) 889-7450
keltsmahtkelp.ca


Kith + Kin Charcuterie

Website

Kith + Kin Charcuterie offers high-end and luxury charcuterie boxes, boards and grazing table for all occasions. A sisters-owned business, each box, board and table reflects Kith + Kin Charcuterie’s cultural and familial passion for food.


KITH + KIN CHARCUTERIE
964 Woodhall Drive, Victoria | 2505894400
www.kithkincharcuterie.com


Kove Ocean Foods powered by Cascadia Seaweed

Website

The foods we eat have a significant impact on the health of the planet. The team at Kove is developing the tastiest, most delicious foods made with Cascadia Seaweed, seaweed grown in the pristine waters of the Pacific Ocean in partnership with First Nations.

By simply cultivating seaweed in the ocean, Cascadia and Kove are working to solve some of the biggest challenges humanity is facing today; climate change, economic instability and food security.


KOVE OCEAN PRODUCTS POWERED BY CASCADIA SEAWEED
9774 — C Third Street, Sidney | 7782452262
www.koveocean.com


Good for the planet. Grown using only sea and sunlight. Seaweed grows in the ocean, therefore there is no demand or need for external inputs such as land and fresh water. It is truly climate positive, providing nutrients to surrounding ocean life and helping to create habitat promoting a vibrant eco-system and biodiversity.

Good for the community. Cascadia Seaweed is building regenerative ocean farms which operate in partnership with local First Nations and currently has 7 farms sites in 5 different territories. The company is employing local people in remote places like Cortes Island where they are growing and harvesting this beautiful, regenerative crop.

Good for you. Ancient cultures knew what we are only rediscovering; seaweed is incredibly healthy to eat. Seaweed is a regenerative powerhouse for the planet, and it's not just climate healthy; rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that promote gut health, heart health and brain health, Kove Ocean Foods are great for your health too.

Kove’s first product powered by Cascadia Seaweed is its furikake style signature seaweed seasoning SEA SPICE which is available in retail stores and online.


Photos by Desiree Dupuis

Cider Mills & Cideries

Fossil Beach Cidery

Gabbie’s Premium Ciders

Website

Gabbie’s Premium Ciders

Nearly 100 years ago, B.C.’s Gulf Island farmers concocted exceptional hard cider.  Legend has it, those makers then journeyed out to sea to share their libations with the mainland. To those Cider Makers, we salute you.  Today we join you.

Gabbie’s Premium Ciders are perfected by Ravenskill Orchards at our unique island location.  Amongst 1,000 heritage trees, 25 varieties of apples, grow fresh, crisp, sun-kissed and gently-breezed by the salty sea air.  We are a family of farmers, sea lovers and makers crafting the best small batch premium cider the Gulf Island have enjoyed since prohibition.  A distinct taste and cider experience.

Junction Orchard & Cidery

Junction Orchard & Cidery is a new addition to the Vancouver Island cider scene, located by Prospect Lake and not far from downtown Victoria. The 8-acre farm is a beautiful rustic place, and owners Jillian and Cody have big plans to make it the go-to destination for cider tastings, weddings, events and live music.


JUNCTION ORCHARD & CIDERY
273 Prospect Lake Rd, Victoria | (250) 580-4723
junctionvictoria.com


With years of experience in the hospitality, tourism and beverage distribution industry, Jillian and Cody determined that running a cidery was a natural next step in their journey. They launched their first cider (their Rhubarb Cider) in July 2021, which you can purchase at their store onsite or in select Vancouver Island liquor stores.

Cider Mills & Cideries, Farms, Orchards & Mills, Travel & Leisure

Fossil Beach Farm

Website

Fossil Beach Farm

Fossil Beach Farm handcrafts all their ciders with a blend of Fossil Beach Farm’s orchard apples that were planted in 1921 and other BC apples to make the best, and sustainable cider.  The cider they make isn’t your traditional old English cider, they use apple varieties local to the Pacific Northwest coast giving a distinctly different taste then many are used to.  They continually experiment to get new and fun flavors, and the results are astonishing.

Fossil Beach Farm is located beachfront between playful seals, and the soaring eagles on the sunset side of Hornby Island. Their idyllic farm sits on a beach that stretches 1 mile directly towards the summer sunsets. It is truly where farm meets sea, make sure to put it on your bucket list!

Bakeries & Patisseries

Francis Bread

Honey Grove Bakery

Website

Honey Grove Bakery is a local woman-owned artisan bakery that specializes in slow fermented, small batch sourdough bread and pastries. Using only certified organic Canadian flour and love to create hand shaped baked goods, the Honey Grove team works hard to share their passion for incredible food with the North Island.


HONEY GROVE BAKERY
#4, 2441 Cousins Ave, Courtenay | (250) 898-3304
honeygrovebakery.ca


Tucked away in the industrial district of Courtenay, Honey Grove Bakery has carved out a strong and growing customer base with their dedication to creating world class sourdough bread, baguettes, croissants and croissant-based treats. Their selection isn’t large but is very well curated and excellent with all new products going through a rigorous testing/development process before release.

Honey Grove Bakery’s strong combination of old world methods with contemporary ethos and creativity makes finding this hidden gem well worth it and highly recommended!

Open Monday-Friday 9:00am–3:00pm and find them at the Comox Valley Farmer’s Market on Saturdays from 9:00am-1:00pm.

Art & Entertainment

Free Spirit Art Gallery

Website

Located on the beautiful island of Gabriola is the Free Spirit Art Gallery Studio, which showcases local contemporary art and goods from both emerging as well as established B.C. artists.


FREE SPIRIT ART GALLERY
590 N Rd, Gabriola Island | (250) 619-0705
freespiritstudio.ca


The gallery desires to foster the creativity in all of us and offers workshops and classes for both adults and children. Their goal is to be a place where you can come and immerse yourself in the creative process and appreciate and admire the work of others. Owner and head studio teacher Catherine Hallam has over 20 years of experience as an artist and educator, holding a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Fashion Marketing, Bachelor of Design, and a Bachelor of Education (Visual Art). She has taught internationally and worked with people of all ages and across a variety of platforms, and she is passionate about sharing art with her community.

Cafes & Bistros

Gabriel's Cafe

Island SodaWorks Bistro

Hotels, Inns & B&Bs

Galiano Inn & Spa

Website

Experience the wild beauty of Galiano Island with a stay at the Inn and Spa, set along the rugged sandstone shore and towering rainforest.
 


GALIANO INN & SPA
134 Madrona Drive, Galiano Island | (250) 539-3388
galianoinn.com


 

This intimate 20-room Inn is steeped in West Coast inspiration: from signature spa treatments and creative seasonal menus to spacious wood-beam architecture and Indigenous garden landscaping. It’s located close enough to Seattle and Vancouver for a spontaneous getaway, but far enough to escape the city buzz. Wedding, corporate or retreat getaways have the feeling of exclusivity during a group stay. Galiano Inn has comfortable meeting spaces, a bright yoga garden room and an expansive dining room and lounge.

Groceries & Markets, Retail - Food

Gathering Place Trading Ltd.

Website

Gathering Place Trading sources from family or cooperative farms, establishing direct relationships, inspecting for environmental and social integrity, and only selecting the very best products they can find.  Every source and product has a story they love to share!


GATHERING PLACE TRADING
961-13th Ave, Campbell River | (250) 287-7571
gatheringplacetrading.com


They bring the freshest and most ethical spices, teas, sea salt and dried fruit to families and folks who care about quality and integrity. These products are hand packaged with love in their certified organic facility located in Campbell River, Vancouver Island. They also give back 1% of profits to grassroots organizations benefiting women and children in the countries the products come from and donate to protect the oceans and their inhabitants on the pristine coasts of BC.

Owners Lovena & Ryan Harvey take the term “family business” seriously, bringing their three children on sourcing trips to South Africa, India, Asia, and Mexico. From being homesteaders who grow most of their own food, to a family business who dares to do things differently, Gathering Place Trading is carving out their own path and staying true to their values every step of the way. Read more about their unique story, and find GPT products at many local retailers

 

Health & Medical, Juices & Juice Bars, Retail - Food

Good Life Juice

Website

Good Life Juice is proud to be Vancouver Island's original Cold Pressed Juice company.


GOOD LIFE JUICE
1981 Wilfert Rd, Nanaimo | (250) 585-3303
goodlifejuice.com


Established in 2014, Good Life is a locally owned team of health junkies passionate about helping people FEEL GOOD. Along with cold pressed juice, Good Life also makes plant based salads, raw desserts, and frozen family meals then delivers them fresh to homes + retailers across Vancouver Island.

Wine, Beer & Liquor Shops

Greenrock Liquor Store

Landing Liquor

Website

The Landing Liquor Store is unmatched in their selection of wines, beer and cocktail ingredients. The selection of Scotch is amazing with all your domestic wines and beers and coolers and ciders. They offer expertise in choosing just the right beverage for any occasion.


LANDING LIQUOR
120 - 2000 North Island Highway, Nanaimo | (250) 585-2597
landingliquorstore.com


In addition to a wide variety of choice, there are always deals and a constant inflow of new products. Their loyalty program gives customers credit toward their next purchase and also puts them in the running for prizes monthly throughout the year. (Check out their social media pages to see many of the happy winners showing off their prizes!) They also provide cocktail recipes on their website, and they're affiliated with the Wines of BC Explorer App.

Hotels, Inns & B&Bs, Restaurants

Harbour House Hotel & Woodley's

Website

Ideally situated at the head of Ganges harbour, the newly-renovated Harbour House Hotel is Salt Spring Island’s premier lodging destination. With an eco-friendly, modern design, most of the 44 beautifully appointed rooms have an expansive view of the harbour. 

In Woodley's, locals and vistors gather to enjoy dishes that reflect their love for comfortable classics with a Pacific Northwest-inspired twist.

Whether visiting for Lunch, Dinner, Drinks, or a relaxed Weekend Brunch, experience fare handcrafted from local ingredients sourced from artisan producers on Salt Spring Island and the surrounding Gulf Islands. Perfectly complimented by local craft beers & wines from the surrounding region, Woodley’s is West Coast dining at its best.

Salt Spring Island Restaurant Woodley's

Hastings House Country House Hotel & Manor Dining Room

Website

Hastings House Country House Hotel is an enchanting luxury country resort, spa and restaurant on 22 acres of waterfront property overlooking Ganges Harbour, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.


HASTINGS HOUSE COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL & MANOR DINING ROOM
160 Upper Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island | (250) 537-2362
hastingshouse.com


This historic hotel is serene and tranquil and within easy walking distance of the heart of Ganges. It’s an ideal location to explore local, natural beauty and enjoy the mild climate and warmth and artistic creativity of Salt Spring residents.

Hastings House Dining Room features a table d’hôte menu that is created daily using the freshest ingredients from the gardens and Island farmers.

Their small, on-site Wellspring Spa is housed in a cozy, cedar-clad barn that is nestled among cedar trees and tended gardens. The spa offers expert massages and treatments are performed by licensed and exceptionally-trained spa therapists.

Hastings House Country House Hotel is the perfect venue for the most memorable weddings, elopements, corporate retreats and special events with all the services and expertise to make your event special. Guests will enjoy luxury accommodations, renowned fine dining, wellness and relaxation in a casually-elegant atmosphere.

 

 

Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa

Flowers & Herbs, Health & Medical

Harmonic Arts

Website

If you're looking for herbal medicine that's good for your body and the planet, give Harmonic Arts a try! Located in Cumberland, this growing plant medicine company provides quality products to retailers across Canada. Founded in 2008 by Clinical Herbalists Yarrow and Angela Willard, they offer a diverse botanical dispensary and wide array of unique herbal formulations. 


HARMONIC ARTS
2660 Dunsmuir Ave, Cumberland | 1-844-871-4054
harmonicarts.ca


Harmonic Arts' Elixirs are a popular favourite: these nourishing beverages feature organic medicinal mushrooms, cacao, and energizing superfoods. 

As winners of the 2020 Comox Valley Sustainability Award, Harmonic Arts is committed to a more sustainable future. They prioritize compostable and recyclable packaging, organic ingredient sourcing, and are a proud sponsor of the Cumberland Community Forest Society.

 

You can find Harmonic Arts’ Elixirs, Mushroom Powders, Herbal Tinctures, Medicinal Syrups, and more at local Vancouver Island health food stores, or purchase directly online at harmonicarts.ca.

 

Travel & Leisure

Helijet

Website

Helijet connects Vancouver Island & the Lower Mainland; Nanaimo Harbour, Victoria Harbour & Vancouver Harbour. Flights depart seven days per week, from morning to evening, taking just 18 minutes between Nanaimo & Vancouver and just 35 minutes between Victoria & Vancouver. Take off in the comfort of a 12-seat Sikorsky S76 helicopter and enjoy the scenic views as the flight crosses the Salish Sea.


HELIJET
100 Port Way, Nanaimo | 1-800-665-4354
helijet.com


Bars, Pubs & Wine Bars, Cafes & Bistros, Cheese & Dairy

Hilary's Cheese and Wine Bar

Services - Non-Food

Hitec Screen Printing / Brazen Sportswear

Website

At Hitec Screen Printing/Brazen Canadian (Hitec-Brazen), they offer the best in screen printing, embroidery and promotional gifts.

They will help you from start to finish, from graphic design to finished product. Since 1987 Hitec has been supporting their customers' branding, growth and marketing by supplying the best products with the best turnaround time and assisted by the best employees.

Graphic design, custom artwork, embroidery and silkscreen printing are all done on all on-site, for both retail and wholesale customers.

Jeannie Shaver, Macdonald Realty Ltd.

Website

Jeannie is a life-long Vancouver Island resident, who loves the community of Vancouver Island and is excited about helping you find a home that will be the perfect fit your family. 


JEANNIE SHAVER, MACDONALD REALTY LTD.
1 - 546 Island Highway West, Parksville | (250) 937-1015
jeannieshaver.macrealty.com


As a REALTOR in the Oceanside region, Jeannie knows the area well, and is actively involved in the community as a member of the Qualicum Beach Farmers' Market board, an active participant in creating new bylaws for the region, and by serving on the Official Community Plan Steering Committee. She loves the landscape and the people of the region and despite having left a few times to experience living in other places, the Island has always called her home. She has no doubt it can be your paradise as well, and would love to help you find your new home so you can get settled into this beautiful community. 

 

Chocolatiers & Confectioneries, Ice Cream Shops

Hot Chocolates

Website

Hot Chocolates began many years ago with a passion for creating quality chocolates for family and friends, and has to grown be one of the largest chocolate shops on Vancouver Island. Committed to preserving their business as a small artisan shop, the team continues to build their business around core values of quality and freshness.


HOT CHOCOLATES
368 5th St, Courtenay | (250) 338-8211
hotchocolates.ca


Nestled comfortably on Fifth Street, in the heart of the Valley, Hot Chocolates not only makes unforgettable chocolates, but also creates true Italian housemade Gelato & Sorbetto, house-made caramels and melt-in-your-mouth fudge.

Their techniques, guided by the traditions of the artisan chocolatier, include hand-dipping every one of their chocolate truffles and drawing from the region’s incredible bounty of fresh local ingredients whenever possible to flavour their creations.

But Hot Chocolates is so much more than just great chocolate – their team is dedicated to ensuring that every one of your visits is a fun and memorable escape from the world outside. From smiling employees who greet you at the front counter, to the production crew that continually strives to create the best chocolate you’ve ever tasted, they are all commited to ensure that you leave Hot Chocolates happier than when you arrived!!

Activities, Retail - Non-Food, Travel & Leisure

Independent Marine Supply Store

Website

Watch our VIDEO for an inside peek at the incredible products and staff at Independent Marine Supply Store.

Open since 2002, Independent Marine Supply Store doesn't joke around when it comes to supplying you with everything you could possibly need out on the water. 


INDEPENDENT MARINE SUPPLY STORE
2443 Alberni Highway, Coombs | (250) 248.229
independentmarine.ca


They carry hundreds of high-quality marine brands, with a wide variety of products, such as paddleboards, fiberglassing supplies, boating electronics, and nautical giftware. Be prepared to spend more time than you imagine you could in a marine supply store, as you'll likely find yourself in awe of their variety of products. Plus, owner Cynthia Brown takes her customer service reputation seriously, so if you can't find what you're looking for, talk to one of their friendly staff, as they will do everything they can to get that product in for you. Learn more about their awesome products and staff by watching the video below:

Non-Profits & Organizations

Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia

Website

If you’re in the agri-food or seafood sector and looking to increase sales in British Columbia, Canada or even internationally, the Investment Agriculture Foundation can help you tap into new markets.

IAFBC now as two government funded cost-shared programs to help you enhance your marketing efforts: the Buy BC Partnership Program and the BC Agri-food and Seafood Market Development Program. Both programs are accepting applications for projects conducted between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021. 

Activities, Travel & Leisure, Vineyards & Wineries

Island Gourmet Trails

Website

Island Gourmet Trails offers relaxed, fun and delicious day tours around the Comox Valley's lush and fertile landscape. Foodies find the area still lives up to its native name: "Komox," meaning "land of plenty." Located in the heart of Vancouver Island, the area is bountiful with fresh seafood, organic farm products, superb wines and more.

 

Butchers & Meat Purveyors, Cheese & Dairy

Island Meat & Deli

Website

Offering a wide range of fresh meats, house-made sausage, cheeses, fresh and frozen fish and seafood, and specialty grocery items. Try an island-famous sausage roll or meat pie, or pick up a rotisserie chicken for an easy dinner.


ISLAND MEAT & DELI
590 North Road, Gabriola | (250) 247-8828
islandmeatanddeli.com


Gord Sherwood managed the deli for 12 years before Tom Hann came in to learn from him and take over in 2016. Tom brings in local, quality products for his customers. They are always happy to take your custom meat-cutting or special orders.  

 

Distilleries

Island Spirits Distillery

Catering & Meal Delivery, Restaurants, Services - Food

Jackknife Pizza

Website

Jackknife Pizza puts a unique spin on traditional Neapolitan style pizza, offering takeaway and delivery of their sourdough-crusted pizzas.


JACKKNIFE PIZZA
2380 MaCauley Road, Black Creek (at the Saratoga Speedway) | (778) 428-0014
www.jackknifepizza.com


Black Creek and surrounding areas, rejoice! Jackknife Pizza might easily become a weekly favourite. Using sourdough for their pizza crust immediately sets up their pies for a unique flavour. But good luck choosing which type of toppings you want, because basically everything sounds so good: Butter Chicken, The S.S. Mush Rush, Potato Bacon...

All the pizzas come 13 to 14 inches, so order a couple for your next movie night or game night, or even just a night you really don't feel like making dinner. They also make flatbreads and serve a daily fresh soup, which sounds particularly good during crisp evenings.

Jackknife Pizza is open Thursdays and Fridays from 4pm to 8pm and Saturdays from 12pm to 8pm. But with their mobile pizza oven, they also offer catering, and the staff's friendly smiles would be a welcome presence at any event. 

Kitchen & Home, Kitchenwares, Retail - Non-Food, Services - Non-Food

Jemco Food Equipment Ltd.

Website

Jemco Food Equipment Ltd. is the ultimate commercial kitchen store. In operation since 1981, Jemco knows what they're doing when it comes to providing high-quality commercial kitchen equipment, from smallwares to new and reconditioned equipment and from consultations to custom kitchen designs. Their massive showroom has everything you need to run your successful cooking and baking business, and their well-trained staff can help you order parts for your kitchen equipment and set up a time for their qualified technicians to come to your kitchen to service your appliances.


JEMCO FOOD EQUIPMENT LTD.
7431 Industrial Road, Lantzville | (250) 390.3224
jemcofood.com


 

Butchers & Meat Purveyors, Farm Markets & Stands

Johnston's

Website

Johnston's has a long history of providing custom processing services—for over 90 years, in fact. The family-run business prides itself on being the source for quality BC products. They ensure their employees, producers, and animals are all treated fairly, and they provide exceptional service to their valued customers.


JOHNSTON'S
5828 Promontory Road, Chilliwack | (604) 858-4121
johnstons.ca


 

Juices & Juice Bars

Jucee Health Bar

Website

Juicee is not only a dynamic new business; but one that has community partnerships and identity in mind. Their mission statement is not only is to serve our patrons with the most delicious, healthy, smoothies, açai bowls and extensive list of healthy options but to enrich their surrounding areas by using local farmers and regional island base businesses whenever they can. 


JUCEE HEALTH BAR
701 Belleville St, Victoria | (250) 590-5324
www.jucee.ca


They do their best to give back to the community by hiring locally first, supporting regional causes, as well as putting the lions share of their advertising budget in local publications. Their vision has always been locally minded, therefore their pledge is to keep their community healthy with the best ingredients at their disposal as well as their community dynamic by staying focused on keeping immersed in the enrichment of their neighborhoods. Their friendly staff looks forward to serving you at either their Nanaimo or Victoria locations; come and join us and share in our health passion for life.

Photo by Sebastian Barkovic

Event Venue, Farms, Orchards & Mills

Keating Farm

Website

Farm life, celebrated. Keating Farm is an agricultural destination and was recently recognized as a 2019 Heritage BC Conservation Award Winner. They offer seasonal farm fresh produce including non-GMO eggs, wildflower honey, cold pressed juices and heritage breed pork, chicken, turkey and lamb. Products can be purchased at the farm stand or by appointment. The stunning site and heritage buildings are now available for weddings and events. Overnight accommodations in beautifully restored heritage farm buildings will be available soon.


KEATING FARM
5250 Miller Road, Duncan | (250) 797-6179
keatingfarm.ca


 

Breakfast & Bruncheries, Coffee & Tea Houses, Hotels, Inns & B&Bs, Specialty & Artisanal Shops

La Belle Vie Studio

Website

La Belle Vie B&B and Wellness is an idyllic hobby farm setting for body, mind and soul on Gabriola Island.


LA BELLE VIE B&B AND WELLNESS
3300 South Road, Gabriola Island | (250) 816-2208
labelleviestudio.ca


 

Located on the picturesque island in the midst of parks and surrounded by the ocean, La Belle Vie B&B is a beautiful place to get away from the stress of daily life. Featuring adorable hobby farm Alpacas, a quiet pond with a bridge and bench, and an herbal wellness studio, your time at the B&B is sure to be relaxing.

Owners Josee and Adam Velsen built the home with a mind of beauty and sustainability, and the home was even featured in Canadian Magazine Home and Cottage. If you’re interested in the design process, you can even opt for a one-hour workshop with Adam where he discusses building tiny homes. 

In these idyllic surroundings, Josee also offers Wellness workshops, which include topics such as Ancient Ayurvedic Lifestyle, Meditation for Beginners, Energy Medicine and Movement, Daily Routines and Rituals. These workshops can be custom arranged from hour-long sessions to full weekend experiences. 

The hobby farm also features a small studio, which Josee fills with a range of colours, smells and textures, inspired by the beautiful nature that surrounds her B&B on Gabriola Island. From bath salts and oils to photography and loose-leaf tea, the studio has an “array of art and beauty that will tickle the senses.”

Bakeries & Patisseries, Farm Markets & Stands, Retail - Food

Laughing Daughters Gluten Free Foods Inc.

Website

It used to be that gluten-free food was synonymous with bland, dry and cardboard-like. That's what Judy discovered was the case when she was first diagnosed with Celiac disease in 1984. After her daughters were also diagnosed with the disease, Judy decided it was time to truly experiment in the kitchen with ways to bake gluten-free treats that were the opposite of the afore-mentioned adjectives. So, in 2014, Laughing Daughters Gluten Free Foods Inc. was born on Salt Spring Island, and Judy has been providing the island and surrounding areas with delicious, flavourful, gluten-free fare ever since. 


LAUGHING DAUGHTERS GLUTEN FREE FOODS INC.
120 - 334 Upper Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island | (778) 353-0022
laughingdaughtersglutenfreefoods.com


All the baking at Laughing Daughters is handmade with organic, whole grain, gluten-free flours. And when they say "gluten free," they mean it; with the popularity of gluten-free eating on the rise, cross-contamination can be a big concern for those with severe gluten intolerances, as many places might not fully understand where cross-contamination can happen and what the consequences can be. But Judy knows, and she takes pride in making gluten-free worry-free.

So if you're looking for delicious, truly gluten-free baking, place your order directly with Laughing Daughters, or pop over to Salt Spring Island from April through October and visit them at at Centennial Park at the famous “Saturday Market in the Park.” You can also look for their products at nearby local restaurants, cafes, hotels, grocers or markets.

 

Cheese & Dairy, Farm Markets & Stands

Little Qualicum Cheeseworks

Little Qualicum Cheeseworks located on Morningstar Farm is a family-friendly farm offering self-guided tours, a farmgate store featuring handcrafted cheese made on site, and Canada's first "milk on tap" dispenser. Open daily year-round


LITTLE QUALICUM CHEESEWORKS
403 Lowry's Rd, Parksville | (250) 954-3931
www.cheeseworks.ca


Bookstores & Gift Shops, Coffee & Tea Houses, Education & Food Literacy, Food Distributors, Groceries & Markets, Retail - Food, Retail - Non-Food

Local Refillery

Website

A new "planet-friendly" grocer has made its home in Courtenay. Local Refillery offers customers a convenient, plastic-free, zero-waste weigh-and-pay shopping experience.


LOCAL REFILLERY
420 Fitzgerald Avenue, Courtenay | (250) 871-6600
localrefillery.com


Local Refillery carries essential grocery and bulk food items, but they also carry cleaning and beauty products. Bring your own vessel, tare it, write on it, then fill it with the ingredient or product you're shopping for before paying. The store is committed to providing package-free products for its customers, working with their suppliers to help build a circular economy. 

The business also has a coffee shop, where they sell coffee from French Press Coffee Roasters in Qualicum Beach. They also have some delicious baked goods for sale that are made locally and delivered fresh. It's the perfect place to find your community of like-minded "zero-wasters" and others who are concerned about living a lower-impact lifestyle.

Check their website or social media pages for upcoming workshops and events as well. 

Hotels, Inns & B&Bs, Restaurants, Travel & Leisure

Long Beach Lodge Resort

Website

Located on beautiful Cox Bay, Long Beach Lodge is an adventure resort that features world-class cuisine and unbeatable oceanfront accommodations. With 41 lodge rooms and 20 cottages to choose from, the resort is just seven kilometers south of Tofino. The sandy beach is just steps away, as is their renowned Great Room Restaurant, where they serve breakfast, lunch, apres surf and dinner. They use fresh ingredients and locally caught to seafood to create their unforgettable West Coast menu. 

Long Beach Lodge is also part of our Island Eats series, giving you an inside look into Chef Shaun Snelling's recipe contribution to the Island Eats cookbook.

The Island Eats series is proudly sponsored by Gordon Food Service Canada.


LONG BEACH LODGE RESORT
1441 Pacific Rim Highway, Tofino | 250-725-2442
www.longbeachlodgeresort.com


Breweries, Wine, Beer & Liquor Shops

Longwood Brewery on Boxwood Road

Website

Longwood’s second location has its own tasting room & picnic patio with unique beers on tap.

The second location, the “Longwood Brewery on Boxwood Road” opened in 2013 to boost the Longwood brand reach across BC by introducing packaged and keg products. Featuring a line up of 6 core beers ranging from a continental Pilsner to an Imperial Stout and 4 rotating seasonal beers, there is something for everyone at the growler bar.  Our seasonal picnic patio offers a comfortable, pet and family friendly environment with the option of bringing your own snacks as there is no onsite kitchen.


LONGWOOD BREWERY on BOXWOOD ROAD
#101A - 2046 Boxwood Road, Nanaimo, B.C. | (250) 591-2739
longwoodbeer.com


With a focus on being “small farm friendly”,  Longwood partners with many local farmers for a wide range of ingredients, resulting in an obsessively local product that reflects the true terroir of Vancouver Island. In fact, the majority of all the barley and hops Longwood Brewery uses is sourced within BC.

This is a place for fun, beer, and a little bit of business. We are an “Obsessively Local Brewery”!

 

Ice Cream Shops

Love's Ice Cream

Website

Love's Ice Cream is made fresh in Cumberland, B.C. They support local suppliers, farmers and producers and source as many ingredients as possible locally and in-season, to promote and participate in a healthy, thriving local economy.


LOVE’S ICE CREAM
2750 Dunsmuir Avenue, Cumberland | (250) 218-6121
lovesicecream.ca


 

Love's Ice Cream actively participates in maintaining an eco-friendly community environment by using recyclable post consumer products and biodegradable napkins and cups, to ensure everyday at Love's Ice cream is as beautiful as it tastes.

With an exclusive Little Jem Ice Cream Blender they combine tangy frozen fruit  with rich, creamy, vanilla homemade ice cream.  They also offer a variety of hard scoop and dairy free options.

Using real food ingredients, they aim to provide consistently delicious handmade ice cream to the ice cream lovers of the world.

Catering & Meal Delivery

Lulu's Apron

Website

Lulu's Apron is Salt Spring Island's newest gourmet catering service. And you might find yourself looking for any reason to throw a party or host an event just so you can hire them once you've snuck a peek at their Instagram page filled with mouth-watering food photos!


LULU'S APRON
Salt Spring Island | (250) 508-8722
lulusapron.com


Lulu's Apron's philosphy is that food is love. Food is how we show people we love them, and Lulu's Apron infuses all the food they make with a desire to see connections formed and memories made over the food they serve. They create their beautiful dishes all from scratch using fresh, locally sourced ingredients that are as tasty as they are pretty.

Chef and owner Danya Smith brings her passion for bold flavours and memorable taste sensations to Lulu's Apron, pulling from her natural love of food and her formal culinary training to create a catering event that will have all your guests oo-ing and ahh-ing. You'll probably love the food so much that you'll want to hire her as a personal chef—which, just so happens to be a service she offers as well! For groups of 2 to 15, Danya will bring the food and the locally handcrafted tableware to your house, which means no clean-up of a messy kitchen for you. But if you do want to get your hands into things, Lulu's Apron also offers private and group in-home cooking lessons so you can learn from the best. 

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Distilleries, Wine, Beer & Liquor Shops

Lumette! by Sheringham

Website

Lumette! is Canada’s first naturally distilled non-alcoholic spirit. Bursting with botanicals of juniper, grand fir, grapefruit, orange, cucumber, mint and rose, it was created by the masters at Sheringham Distillery in Sooke.


LUMETTE!
252 - 6731 West Coast Road, Sooke | (250) 880-1818
enjoylumette.com


Lumette! is made for exquisite cocktails. It has a complex flavour profile and gives your drink the essence of real gin, sans alcohol. Use it the same way you would use gin, whether that’s a classic G+T or a gin gimlet, and drink all night without the looming threat of a hangover. 

If anyone knows their gin, it's definitely Sheringham Distillery, exemplified by their “World’s Best Contemporary Gin” award in 2019 for their Seaside Gin. It stands to reason that they would know how to handcraft a naturally distilled non-alcholic gin. Sub Lumette! into your favourite cocktails when you're wanting to enjoy a drink without the alcohol, or try one one of their recommended recipes for a tasty Lumette! cocktail. 

 

Food Distributors, Non-Profits & Organizations

LUSH Valley Food Action Society

LUSH Valley Food Action Society (Let Us Share the Harvest) has been working as a non-profit across the Comox Valley since 2000. They are a catalyst for food-related projects, working hard to strengthen relationships in the local food system and build on individuals’ food skills in an effort to increase self-reliance.


LUSH VALLEY
200 - 576 England Avenue, Courtenay | (250) 331-0152
lushvalley.org


The impact and scope of the organization have grown each year. LUSH knows that good food is a vehicle for empowerment, social justice, celebration and community well being. Fruit harvesting and farm gleaning are their core programs, and they have expanded into health food programs, food share (hot meals and food boxes), advocacy and being a part of the Food Policy Council. 

 

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