Looking for the perfect excuse to explore Central Vancouver Island this summer? We’ve got one: shop local and enjoy amazing Island-made products while discovering some of the best spots from Nanaimo to Port Alberni.

Whether you’re craving chocolate, craft beer, fresh seafood, or artisan goods – Island Good businesses have you covered.

Here are just some of the Island Good businesses we’d recommend you explore. Ensure you check out their website for hours of operation:

Nanaimo

• Millstone Artisan Gallery – Purchase beautiful, handcrafted pottery and artisan goods.
• Longwood Brewery on Boxwood – Quench your thirst with a wide selection of craft beer.
• Mood Cannabis – Browse a selection of locally-sourced cannabis products.

Parksville and Qualicum

• Springford Farm – Stock up on fresh produce, meats, and local goodies.
• French Creek Seafood – Pick up fresh seafood and all the fixings.
• Catalina Chocolate Company – Treat yourself to Hot Chocolate Bombs, Chocolate Bumps ™ and other chocolate treats.

Port Alberni

• Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce – Visit the Chamber’s gift shop at the Visitor Centre and McLean Mill, where you’ll find locally made products and visitor info all in one spot.
• Antidote Distilling – Sample small-batch, locally crafted spirits and cocktails.
• Coombs Country Candy – Indulge in chocolate truffles, bars and fudge, handmade ice cream, gelato, hard candies, sponge toffee, kettle corn, caramel apples, and more.
• Nook Bake Shop – Enjoy high quality baked goods (with a specialty in sourdough.)
• Twin City Brewing – Gather for stellar food and meticulously crafted beer.
• Wesco Foods – Shop a wide variety of Island Goods including freshly grown produce.

BC Farmers’ Markets

• Cedar Farmers Market – Open Sunday 10 am to 2 pm – Find goodies from Island Good businesses like Fat Chili Farm/West Coast Kitchen, Kettle and Hive, Peanut Butter and Kisses and more.
• Island Roots Farmers Market – The Island Roots Market is Nanaimo’s only year-round market, welcoming the community to Beban Park every Wednesday evening in the summer before moving indoors to the Centennial Building in the fall/winter.
• Errington Farmers Market – Shop for fresh produce and artisan products at the “Market in the Park” every Saturday 10 am to 1 pm.
• Qualicum Beach Farmers Market – Where you can find Black Jaguar Chocolate alongside other Island Goods like Lemon Balm Lane, Cherry Creek Cider and Sutra Sauces!
• Port Alberni Farmers Market – Held every Saturday morning from 9 am to 12 pm, in Spirit Square at the picturesque Harbour Quay, year round.

Island Good helps you easily spot local products that are made, grown, or produced right here on Vancouver Island! When you shop Island Good, you’re not only getting a high quality, Island made, and fantastic product but also investing in our Vancouver Island community!

For the complete list of Island Good members click here – you can even search by region to find businesses near you.

Interested in becoming an Island Good member? Head to Islandgood.ca to learn more.

Island Good Spotlight – Bloom Botanicals

If your product could speak, what would it say about you?

Bloom Botanicals is a West Coast Apothecary offering all-natural bath and body care. Nestled on the north end of Quadra Island in the small community of Bold Point, the apothecary is surrounded by big trees, wildflowers, lakes, ocean, and wilderness.

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about your business/products?

The business is owned and operated by Karen, who has a background in herbal medicine and decades of experience in product formulation. Born and raised in BC and having lived on the West Coast for most of her life, she wanted to create a product that is infused with coastal botanicals. From Salish Sea bull kelp to wild Nootka rose, there are so many plants with skin-loving benefits that have become part of Bloom Botanicals creations.

What’s your favourite part about sourcing or creating right here on the Island?

Along with knowledge and experience, Karen has spent a lot of time researching and connecting with suppliers. The products are meticulously sourced from local, Vancouver Island ingredients. Many of the botanicals are grown on the family homestead, wildcrafted, or purchased from small family farms and businesses.

The products are natural, clean, and effective, with high-quality, organic ingredients. Packaging is all reusable and recyclable glass and metal, along with some paperboard that is fully biodegradable and compostable. All of the labels are printed on Vancouver Island as another way to support our local economy.

You can find Bloom Botanicals online at www.bloombotanicals.ca and at many local retailers.

Island Good in the News

Thanks to Island Farm and Garden magazine for featuring our Island Good microgreen farmers in their July-August 2025 issue!

From Cobble Hill to the Comox Valley, our Island Good producers are redefining what it means to grow local, fresh, and sustainable. Whether it’s A & S Microgreens’ rainbow of varieties, Eatmore Sprouts & Greens Ltd. crunchy and crisp sunflower greens, Sirius Micro Farm’s colourful blends, or Ultimate Microgreens’ doorstep deliveries—each one brings something special to our Island tables. Let’s keep supporting local – one sprout at a time!

Read the full article here.

Island Good is an initiative of The Vancouver Island Economic Alliance, a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to fostering a thriving, sustainable, and self-reliant economy for Vancouver Island and the rural islands.

Help Us Spread the Word – Discounts for Local Businesses Joining Island Good!

Know a local business that should be part of Island Good? Now’s the perfect time to tell them!

Businesses new to Island Good in the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD), and the City of Campbell River get 50% off their first-year licensing. In the City of Port Alberni eligible businesses receive funding for their first year free. Thanks to the CVRD, Community Futures Cowichan Region, and the Cities of Campbell River and Port Alberni for championing local businesses and supporting Island Good.

Also effective June 1, members of the following Chambers receive 25% off their Island Good membership thanks to reciprocal Chamber memberships: Alberni Valley, Ladysmith, Campbell River and District, Comox Valley, Duncan Cowichan, Gabriola Island, Lake Cowichan, Parksville and District, and Sooke Region.

This applies to makers, growers, manufacturers, retailers, and restaurants offering local products.

Encourage them to sign up – we’ll apply the discount to their invoice! Let’s keep growing the Island Good movement together!

We’re actively working with other communities to bring them on board to support Island Good in a similar way – stay tuned!