The K'omox First Nations people named it "the Land of Plenty." Astride land and sea and toasted in sunshine, the Comox Valley reaps magnificent bounties. Almost 500 farms fan out over 12,000ha/30,000ac. They encompass orchards, nurseries, dairy farms, berry farms and fare from bison rib-eyes to garlic and hazelnuts. Purity of product - pure air, pure soil, organic produce - complete the pastoral picture. Step right up and resuscitate with a shot of organic carrot juice or rejuvenating wheatgrass.
Comox Valley Farm Tours
Comox farmers love to share as much as they love to eat. The Comox Valley Growers Guide, available at the Comox Valley Visitor Centre lists farms inviting visitors to tuck into local product. It also maps out three driving tours: "Bounty from the Sea and Land" to the South Comox Valley, oriented to fish and seafood; "Sights, Tastes and Tradition" for bakeries, cheeses and chocolate in the Central Comox Valley; and "Farm to Fork" for sausages, meat and poultry in the North Comox Valley. Be sure to make advance appointments for all farm visits.
U-Pick
U-pick farms invite visitors to load up on plump blueberries and raspberries. The oceanfront Seafood Game Farm north of Courtenay, Comox's sister community, goes a step further by offering accommodations and camping to engage visitors in full-throttle harvest mode.
Comox Valley Shellfish Festival
Filberg Heritage Lodge and Comox Marina Park hosts the Comox Valley Shellfish Festival in June, with free admission, food tastings, cooking demonstrations and a gala dinner with local chefs fielding creative new shellfish recipes.
Aquaculture
The clean Pacific waters of Baynes Sound add aquaculture to Comox foodiedom. The area accounts for half of BC's shellfish production, with Fanny Bay Oysters alone producing 10 million oysters a year, inarguably some of the most succulent bivalves on the planet.
Farmers Markets
Country markets abound in summer and autumn, with food being the natural focus. Try out Comox Valley Farmers' Market. It's held every Wednesday at Courtenay's Simms Memorial Park between June 4 and Sept 24, but expands Saturdays to a gathering of more than 70 vendors beside the Exhibition Grounds on Headquarters Road in Comox. In most cases, visits to the farms themselves can be arranged by appointment. After Oct 11, the Saturday market moves indoors to the Native Sons Hall in Courtenay. Check out the exotic produce: organic wasabi and Asian vegetables from the Huas of Hazelmere Farms, 15 varieties of garlic from Big Buzz Acres, Saskatoon berry pies from Deroda Farm, goat steaks and chile peppers Seal Bay Farms. And how about organic popsicles from Natures Way?