SIDNEY STREET MARKET – Vancouver Island’s largest outdoor market features 130 vendors, drawing up to 5,000 people each week. Every Thursday from 5:30 to 8:30pm through summer, Victoria’s Main Street is transformed into a lively street fair, featuring fresh local produce, baked goods, artisan jewelry, crafts, delicious cuisine and live music, with fun, food and entertainment for the whole family.
THE ROOT CELLAR – You don’t have to wait until Thursday to shop local. The Root Cellar Village Green Grocer on McKenzie in Victoria is open seven days a week from 8am-8pm, serving fresh local produce, dairy, meats, cheese, flowers and more. The family-owned store’s shelves are stocked with juicy, island-grown berries and cherries, as well as vegetables of all colors. With “farm fresh, dirt cheap” as a slogan, The Root Cellar offers great prices, while also featuring an in-house butcher, full-service deli, full-scale garden market and The Coffee Project, open daily at 7am.
SILVER RILL CORN – Corn season is officially upon us. The seasonal farm market at Silver Rill Corn, located just north of Victoria, is renowned for its sweet corn, and the season runs through Halloween. Since the early 1900s, the farm has become one of the largest suppliers of premium sweet corn on the island, and their six varieties are delicious whether fresh off the BBQ or on a salad. Silver Rill also features 40 types of local fruits and vegetables, including fresh berries and delicious preserves. No visit would be complete without picking up some of their incredible popcorn to pop at home.
CEDAR FARMERS’ MARKET – Located just south of Nanaimo in Cedar, B.C., this weekly market features more than 70 vendors selling farm-fresh produce, meats, plants, baked goods and crafts. Local artists entertain from the bandstand, while shoppers browse and savor fresh berries, kettle corn, veggies, soups, beans, baked goods, ice cream and chutneys. The market is open every Sunday from 10am-2pm through the end of October.
POMME NATURAL MARKET – 100% B.C.-owned and operated, this unique grocer in Nanaimo features a huge selection of fully organic or local and spray-free produce, as well as top-quality natural supplements and skincare. Working with Vancouver and Golf Island growers, Pomme offers fresh, local produce, ethical and fair-trade groceries and a healthful deli with an array of options for vegans and vegetarians.
STELD FARM – Nothing compares to picking your own. Steld Farm, located in Yellow Point, ten minutes north of Ladysmith, is renowned for its blueberries, which at their prime in early August. Grab a basket, the whole family and hit the patch to pick your own, then stop to shop their selection of beef, pork and farm fresh eggs.
