It all started in 2013 when the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) was hosting a luncheon and decided to serve only foods made or grown in the Vancouver Island region. A board member was given a budget and tasked with putting together a meal for the event. What seemed like a simple task, turned into a laborious scavenger hunt as the VIEA shopper combed the shelves and display cases of local grocery stores searching for Island-made products. The problem wasn’t a lack of Island-made products, quite the opposite in fact. Local grocery stores were full of local products, but a great deal of diligence and label reading was required to identify those that were made on the Island. This struggle seeded an idea for an initiative focused on distinguishing and promoting products made on Vancouver Island.

In 2014, when VIEA was producing the first annual ‘State of the Island’ Economic Report, one statistic stood out: the Canadian economy at the time was comprised of 70% services and 30% goods, whereas the Island economy was 80% services and 20% goods. Knowing that Vancouver Island has a strong international reputation as a wonderful place to live and visit, VIEA identified a need for a project raise local and international awareness of Island products. Concepts for a ‘Made on Vancouver Island’ brand were tested with delegates at VIEA’s annual Economic Summit in 2016 and 2017.

In 2018, VIEA launched the 6-month Island Good pilot project in 45 grocery stores across the Vancouver Island region with retail partners including Country Grocer, 49^th Parallel Grocery, Quality Foods, and Thrifty Foods. The pilot project started with Island-made food and beverage products already carried in the stores of major grocery retailers across the Island. The food sector was an easily understood starting point for Island Good, allowing us to form important retail partnerships while proving the value of the Island Good initiative. During those 6 months, the Island Good pilot project achieved an average sales lift of 16.4% for Island Good products – an impact that was far beyond our wildest dreams for the early stages of the initiative.

Island Good is now available for any Vancouver Island product from potatoes to airplane parts. The pilot project taught us that Vancouver Island residents and visitors seek island-made products, and Island Good makes it measurably easier for consumers to find and purchase those products. Islanders demonstrate significant loyalty to businesses producing or carrying Island Good products, leading to sustained support for those businesses. The positive response to Island Good has been astounding. Consumer engagement has significantly increased with Island Good. It feels good to shop local, to know the sources of the products we purchase, to hear the stories behind their creation, and to feel satisfaction from connecting with and supporting local producers.

Since the pilot project, Island Good has been steadily growing! In 2019, a year after the tremendous success of the pilot project, sales of Island Good products were up 17.5% compared to 2018. In 2020, the sales increase for Island Good products was 37%.  It seems there’s nowhere to go but up!

Island Good businesses now number in the hundreds, representing a diverse and incredible group of producers and retailers across the region. During this time, Island Good has hosted events and campaigns to raise the profile of Island producers. Island Good has also partnered with numerous municipalities, business associations, chambers of commerce, and tourism organizations across Vancouver Island to better support and meet the needs of local businesses.

In October of 2018, not long after the pilot project, VIEA made the commitment to have Island Good menus at their annual State of the Island Economic Summit. VIEA has upheld this commitment in the years since with the summit menus continuing to accrue praise.

In June of 2022, Island Good Days was officially proclaimed in 11 communities, with Island Good events taking place across Vancouver Island. As the crowning jewel of Island Good Days, the first ever Island Good Market took place to resounding success! The indoor-outdoor market hosted over 40 Island Good vendors, with 1200 attendees coming to meet Island Good producers, purchase Island Good products, and enjoy live music, food, and activities.