The holidays are almost here, and it’s the perfect time to support the makers, growers, and creators who call Vancouver Island and the rural islands home. From hosting essentials to thoughtful gifts, here are a few Island Good ways to brighten your season:

Stock up on seasonal produce and meats from Springford Farm, Keating Farm and Smith Lake Farm. Try vegetarian picks from Crumblz and Green Cuisine, and cheeses from Cowichan Station Creamery, Natural Pastures Cheese Company, and Paradise Island Foods. For seafood, visit French Creek Seafood, Crabby Bob’s, and for gifting, choose St. Jean’s Cannery, or SeaChange Seafood. Round it out with breads from The Sourdough Whisperer and Honey Grove Bakery, and gluten-free treats from Origin Bakery. And don’t forget the spices with Gathering Place’s lines of herbs and spices.

Find handmade chocolates and sweets from Coombs Country Candy, Catalina Chocolate Company and Coal Creek Roasters. Grab ice cream bars from Hazel’s Ice Cream, crackers from Jenny Marie’s Cracker Company, chips from Arbutus Foods, and bars from Hornby Organic.

Toast the season with ciders from Sea Cider Farm + Ciderhouse, wines from 40 Knots Vineyard, Unsworth Vineyards, and Zanatta, or beers and spirits from Antidote Distilling, Beacon Brewing, Holocene Distilling Project, Longwood Brewery, Mile Zero Brewing, Red Arrow Brewing Company and Twin City Brewing. Prefer alcohol-free? Try Level Ground Coffee, Spinnakers Sodas, Thunderbird Spirit Water, kombucha from Babe’s Honey Bee Line. or Kettle and Hive’s citron tea.

Choose pampering products from Bloom Botanicals, Dirty Girl Soap Co. Ltd, Feisty Ferdy Organics, Kálon Bath & Candle Co. or Lemon Balm Lane. For food lovers, look to Saltspring Kitchen Co, Mrs Jones Jams, That’s My Jam, or Yellow Deer Mustard. Shop handcrafted pieces at Millstone Gallery or grab ready-to-go baskets from Vancouver Island Gift Basket Co. And for pets – treats from Buddies Natural Pet Food Ltd., Foley Dog Treat Company Inc., Fresh Fetch, Grandpaws Treats, Peanut Butter Kisses & Treats and SparkySnacks.

Look for the Island Good logo at BC Farmer’s Markets, Choices Markets, Country Grocer, Fairway Market, Healthyway Natural Foods, Lifestyle Markets, Mid Island Co-op and Mid Island Liquor, Peppers Food Store, Quality Foods, Tru Value Foods, Victoria Olive Oil Co., Victoria Urban Grocer, Village Food Markets and many more.

From food and beauty products to pet food and sustainable goods, Island Good has something for everyone. Visit islandgood.ca to browse local producers, find retailers, and start shopping Island Good today!

Here’s a look at what some Island Good businesses are offering for the season:

Make your holiday table effortless with their Christmas 6‑Pack! Featuring Spindrift Brut, Pinot Gris, White Seas, Gamay, Knotty Cider (Apple + Cranberry), and Safe Haven.

Perfect for gifting or serving at your festive table! Sign up for free as a Sipster to get your Sipster rate.

Show off your holiday table with deli, bakery, seafood, and sushi platters – plus charcuterie boards featuring Island ingredients when available (including Hardy Buoys Smoked Salmon on the Captain’s Choice platter).

Order in store or online, and don’t forget: gift cards make easy stocking stuffers.

Two holiday gift sets to make shopping easy:

• Let There Be Peach on Earth: Mane Vibes Hair Perfume, Peachy Clean Sugar Scrub Cubes, and peach gummy hearts.
• Homme for the Holidays: I Am Homme cologne roller, charcoal detox soap, charcoal bath salts, and festive treats.

Plus a limited-edition I Am Joyful room and linen spray for the season.

Share the taste of Vancouver Island with their Vancouver Island Wheel – six 1/8th wedges of artisan cheeses, beautifully arranged in a classic wooden box. Handcrafted, packed with love — the ultimate gift for cheese lovers.

Also available: 200g Canadian Cultured Butter for $6, with $1 from each block supporting the Comox Valley Food Bank.

Discover gorgeous curated small-batch BC gift baskets and gift boxes filled with unique, local treasures.

Choose from ready-made collections, Build-a-Box options, Indigenous gift boxes supporting Indigenous businesses, or Full Moon Ritual boxes, perfect for every occasion. Shop online today for custom gifts that delight corporate clients, family, and friends.

Catch Spice Bae at the Patio Gardens Christmas Market (Dec 6–7) and Moss Street Christmas Market (Dec 13–14).

They’re launching a new Twisted Tomatillo hot sauce – a West Coast-inspired flavour – and will also have their popular Mother Puckers Pickled Jalapeños at the remaining holiday markets.

Stonehouse Teas in Campbell River has over 120 loose leaf teas including a signature Island Good Herbal Blend. Partnering with another Island Good business, RavenSong Soap, they have created the Island Good tea soap.

These items and all their Holiday teas are available in store and online at stonehouseteas.com

Beautifully wrapped gift boxes made on Gabriola Island. Options include:

• Trio Box (3 tins)
• Taster Set (6 tins)
• Chef’s Choice (8 tins + Alder Smoked Salt + Maple Sugar)
• Deluxe Box (9 blends + salts + seasoning)

To make gift giving even easier, they can send your box directly to the recipient – no wrapping, no packaging, no stress. Free shipping on orders $120+. They can even include a personal gift message. Order online: https://www.woodfirespice.ca