 Farmer's Market, Carol Clemens photo
Courtenay's Farmers' Market The Farmers' Market began humbly enough with 10 local farmers in 1992. Today it boasts more than 80 farmers, fishermen, bakers and candy makers. Its astonishing bounty covers a territory from arugula to artichokes and local wasabi to a dozen varieties of garlic.
Organic & Free Range Produce Meats are lamb, beef, chevon goat, bison and venison, all raised on natural grass and hay without medicated feed, animal byproducts or hormones. Chickens are free-range, their feeding exceeding organic requirements. Fish come straight from the ocean, nowhere else.
Artisan Foods The olfactory senses reel with the aromas of freshly baked breads, muffins and pastries. Bison sausages, smoked fish, organic pastas, pizza, vegan foods, unpasteurized honey and award-winning cheeses fill food baskets. Single-origin, organic dark chocolate is the artisan sweet of choice. Yep, we know organics aren't necessarily healthier, but there no question they taste waaaaaay better.
Comox Valley Farms Check out variety: 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 chilli peppers from Seal Bay Farms. And how about organic popsicles from Natures Way? Farm names include Garden of Eatin', Berry Best, Dahlia Divas, Yummy Mummy, Basic Kneads and Dark Side Chocolates. They could sell puns. Location & Hours The Farmers' Market opens Weds and Sat from 9am to noon. Weds mornings from June to the end of Sept, it's at Simms Millennium Park. Sat mornings from mid-April through Thanksgiving, the much larger market unfurls beside the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds in Comox-Strathcona. In winter, the Sat market shifts venues to the Native Sons Hall in downtown Courtenay.
Brambles Market A cousin to the Farmers' Market, James and Angela Street's Brambles Market is a first in BC. The Courtenay boutique sells only products grown in BC and only within 402km/250mi of the Comox Valley. Vegetables, fruits, fishes and meats radiate freshness and quality. Look forward to pork, chicken and sausages from Tannadice Farms, Island View lavender products, bison steaks from Island Bison and foods from 200 different producers. Psssst: Pick a picnic and take off for Miracle Beach.
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