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.

Campbell River Farmers Market is currently located in the heart of Campbell River’s downtown – at Spirit Square and surrounded by shops, restaurants, pubs and galleries. You can make a whole day of exploring the foreshore and beach and stroll to the market for lunch, local farmers’ bounty, seafood and artisan wares. There is plenty of parking, so you can visit the local businesses and attractions, like the Art Gallery and the Discovery Passage Aquarium while you’re there.

Vendors at this market provide everything needed to fill a pantry – from farm fresh produce and locally produced food items, to beef, chicken, and turkey and seasonal bison, rabbit, duck, goose, and tuna.

The Comox Valley Wednesday 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 Wednesday throughout the summer, before moving indoors to the Native Son’s Hall from October – April.

An offshoot of the year-round Comox Valley Farmers’ Market, the community welcomes regional food growers and producers to the Cumberland Village Square every Sunday morning from June through September. A dozen vendors fill this green space on Main Street every week, bringing with them a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, local meat, wine, fresh-baked pies, snacks, and apothecary.

A true representation of the abundant food producing potential of the Gulf Islands, the Denman Island Farmers’ Market emphasizes local produce direct from the island’s farms, orchards, market gardens, and small growers. A short 10 minute ferry ride from Buckley Bay, this weekly market is the perfect day-trip for anyone on Vancouver Island. During peak season more than 40 growers, makers, and bakers set up in the field next to Denman Island’s famous “Free Store.”

This year-round market operates two markets in the summer, one in Esquimalt Memorial Park and another in Esquimalt Gorge Park, from April through September, before relocating to the Esquimalt Rec Centre for the remainder of the year. Thanks to the support of their community, the market organizers have been able to carefully select vendors aligned with their specific values.

This year-round market operates two markets in the summer, one in Esquimalt Memorial Park and another in Esquimalt Gorge Park, from April through September, before relocating to the Esquimalt Rec Centre for the remainder of the year. Thanks to the support of their community, the market organizers have been able to carefully select vendors aligned with their specific values.

The Esquimalt Farmers’ Market leads by example when it comes to healthy living, local food, and community interaction. For more than 5 years this market has remained committed to healthy and local living through relationship building and environmental sustainability within their community.

For more than 13 years a small group of dedicated volunteers has been responsible for bringing the community together for a weekly gathering amongst the green gardens of West Saanich Road. Operating every Saturday morning from the start of June through to October, the North Saanich Farm Market is full of community spirit, where the Peninsula’s top food producers display fresh fruits and vegetables, local lamb, beef, and seafood – and some of the most coveted fresh baked breads in the region.

The Sooke Country Market is a reflection of the power of community spirit. Since opening day in 1996 this small market has welcomed local food producers across various locations throughout the small municipality just a short drive from Victoria. But no matter where they set up shop, the community arrived to show their support. A farm-focused market, visitors can expect to take home a variety of fresh food, from farm-direct produce and gourmet ice cream bars, to fresh baked breads.

Continually one of the best-attended markets in the region, more than 30 local organic farmers join upwards of 70 bakers and makers every week, spilling out onto the tree-lined boulevard. With live local musicians performing alongside the region’s most popular bakers, meat vendors, and vegetable farmers, the Moss Street Market is an essential weekend destination for Victoria locals and visitors.

Though some vendors have attended for more than 20 years, a recent uptick of young families growing food the region has resulted in more and more young people bringing farm-fresh produce, eggs, and meat to sell at this year-round market. A central part of Port Alberni culture, Music at the Market provides a showcase for local musicians to plug in and perform under the big tent at this unique, community cornerstone.

In 2018, a group of like-minded community members came together to create a market to promote and support local, sustainable, producers and makers in Port Hardy. With a diverse array of vendors including local farmers, bakers, and makers – this market is built upon a strong community spirit and shared values. Situated alongside Carrot Park waterfront during the summer, this family and dog-friendly market moves indoors for select events during the fall and winter.

Steadily growing since its inception in 2012, the Port McNeill Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market offers a beautiful sample of the North Island’s finest makers, bakers, and growers from May through September. Connecting the community with local food producers and permaculture experts, more than a dozen vendors set up in the green grass outside the Visitors Centre every other Saturday for a chat with their neighbours and a view of the Port McNeill waterfront.

Hundreds of visitors stream through the Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers’ Market each week, vying for the most succulent basket of strawberries, or the first tomatoes of the season. The air fills with music, laughter, and children as local chefs tantalize taste buds with fresh seasonal fare. From the first week of June to the last week of October, Salt Spring Island’s best makers, bakers, and growers bring their freshest food, spirits, and ciders to Centennial Park.

T’Sou-ke - In the SENĆOŦEN language, the word T’Sou-ke is the name of the Stickleback fish that lives in nearby estuaries. Exposure to Europeans through the Hudson’s Bay Company saw the name changed first to Soke and then Sooke.The Sooke Night Market is supported by the Sooke Region Historical Society and was developed to highlight the rich heritage of food producers, artists, artisans, and entrepreneurs in the area.

The Oaklands Sunset Market is a weekly celebration that invites the community to meet more than 50 local farmers, food producers, and artisans gathered along Oakland’s Community Centre grounds. Started as an accessible market for families, this market runs Wednesday evenings in the summer instead of the typical early-morning weekend hours of other regional markets.