Top Places to Shop High Quality Local and Seasonal Foods
One of the best ways we can reduce our carbon footprint, and drive growth within our communities is to support local food producers.
Thankfully, on Vancouver island we have a ton of beautiful produce, meats, and more available to us fairly consistently through the year.
Summer is of course the time of plenty, and so I wanted to put together a guide of my favourite places to get local fare around the Victoria area.
Produce & More
You can find farm stands scattered all around the South Island with fabulous locally grown produce, eggs, jams, and more year round!
The Root Cellar is like an anytime farmers market! Find fresh produce, local meats, farm fresh eggs, and so much more. Though they do carry imported goods as well, they make an emphasis on BC and Island sourced food.
There are quite a few farmers markets in the Summertime in the Victoria area, with the Moss St Market in Fairfield operating year round. You can find an abundance of fresh produce, meat, eggs, bread, honey, jams, and more from local artisans!
Find locally grown tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and more greenhouse grown on the Saanich Peninsula.
Amidst other organic and health food options, you can find local meats, produce and more. You can also find some local supplement brands in their extensive supplement selection.
An assortment of local produce, baked goods, coffee and more in Saanichton.
Once strawberry season hits, you’re going to want to make your way here STAT. You can also find an assortment of fun farm activities for the little ones, and Babe’s honey.
This North Saanich year round farmers market has produce, meats, and more. It also has a delectable bakery, and bistro!
Meats
You can find their products at a few local stores, or head into their farm store. They also do butcher boxes delivered right to your door with local pork, beef, chicken, lamb and turkey.
Island and pasture raised meats with a nose to tail approach, found in the heart of Oak Bay.
Located right next door to The Village Butcher, you’ll find this quality local cured meat shop.
Located downtown, this shop focuses on local and ethically raised meats.
Small batch, hand cut, local, grass fed and pasture raised meat located in Brentwood Bay.
Seafood
They also have buck-a-shuck oysters everyday from 4-5 pm at the restaurant portion!
A true salt of the sea fish shop located at the end of the wharf in Sidney.
Conveniently located right next store to The Village Butcher and The Whole Beast for a one stop shop.
While they catch plenty of fish to serve your daily needs, they also boast the most AMAZING looking seafood platters for special events.
Cheese
Catch this Cowichan Valley based cheese company at the Moss St Market!
You can find this cheese at a few shops around town, but I highly suggest making the trip to their farm shop on Salt Spring Island for a fabulous tasting experience!
Made from pastured dairy, I highly recommend their Comox Brie.
Eggs
Driving around North Saanich or Metchosin area, you will find farm stands a plenty with farm fresh, often pastured eggs.
Baked Goods
This gem in Vic West uses locally grown organic flour, and old style sourdough and woodfire magic to create breads, treats, and more.
Wildfire Bakery boasts an extensive menu of organic, locally sourced breads and more. You can also find them at a few shops around town, or sign up for delivery depending on your location.
Worth a special trip out to West Saanich, this fabulous italian style bakery has some of the most beautiful and delicious treats from gelato, to creme filled croissants, to bread and back again.
Honey
Located just down the road from the Root Cellar, Babe’s Honey has been serving the Victoria area for over 60 years!
Local honey from the Saanich Peninsula. They also make candles, and other bee products!
I hope you have fun visiting these fabulous local gems this Summer, and consider making shopping local a part of your lifestyle year round. There is truly something magic about being in relationship with the people who grow and produce your food, magic that is a win for you, a win for the farmer, and a win for mama earth!