Island Good Article for April 2025 Farm and Garden Article – by Diana Jolly, Project Administrator, Island Good

These days, the world feels a little uncertain—especially when it comes to food. Prices keep changing, tariffs are on the horizon, and supply chains may get disrupted. That’s why choosing local is more important than ever and Island Good is here to help.

Choosing Island Good means:

• Keeping Money in the Community – Every dollar spent on Island Good products helps support local farmers, producers, and businesses.
• Better, Fresher Food – Local products don’t have to travel far, which means they’re fresher, tastier, and often healthier.
• A Stronger, More Resilient Food System – The more we rely on Island grown, raised and produced food, the less we have to depend on unpredictable global supply chains.

The Island Good logo helps shoppers easily spot local goods while giving Island producers the recognition they deserve.

Beyond the logo, Island Good connects consumers with the stories behind their food, fostering a deeper appreciation for the effort and passion that goes into every product.

Island Good is committed to strengthening community connection, increasing brand recognition and supporting environmentally friendly practices and reducing reliance on external supply chains to build a more resilient local economy.

Local food is more than just a meal—it’s a connection to this incredible place we call home and to the passionate people behind every product. There is something special about knowing where your food comes from. It just feels good—Island Good! Take Cowichan Creamery, for example: their cheese comes from milk produced by cows grazing on grass grown right on their farm. If you’re not following them on social media, you’re missing out on adorable videos of their cows. As they say, “Kindness just makes it taste better.”

Many local food producers also support other Island growers, producers and communities. Here are just a few examples:

• Arbutus Foods (Duncan) Contributes to local charities, recycles packaging, and donates goods to community organizations.
• Duncan Garage Café & Bakery (Duncan) serves delicious baked goods and meals made from local ingredients while providing a welcoming community space.
• Natural Pastures Cheese Company (Courtenay) produces award-winning artisan cheeses from local milk, partnering with farms like Coleman Meadows for grass-fed water buffalo milk.
• Nikkei Ramen-ya (Courtenay) Makes Ramen building blocks and Ramen kits from scratch and provides a living wage for all their employees,
• St. Jean’s Cannery & Smokehouse (Nanaimo) has been perfecting West Coast seafood since 1961. Now owned by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, they continue the family tradition while staying ahead of the tide.
• The Cure Hot Sauce (Comox Valley) collaborates with local farms to source spices, vegetables, and herbs for their bold, flavourful hot sauces.
• Tree Island Yogurt (Cumberland) sources milk from local dairy farmers like Birkdale Farm in Comox for their gourmet yogurt. Their long-standing partnership with the Comox Valley Food Bank now includes a home delivery program for those unable to visit in person.

Despite its many benefits, local food production comes with challenges. Island-based producers face higher production costs, supply chain issues, lack of processing facilities and other hurdles. However, these obstacles have spurred innovation and collaboration.

For example, Vancouver Island Farm Products in Comox is a collective of Island farmers pooling resources to supply fresh, locally grown produce. From leafy greens to sweet bell peppers, their growers cultivate a diverse range of crops. With a pick, pack, and ship turnaround of just 24 hours, they maintain peak freshness and unmatched flavour.

Similarly, the Island Vegetable Co-op Association (IVCA), based in Saanichton, is one of the oldest agricultural cooperatives in BC, established in 1952. IVCA is always exploring innovative approaches to improve collaboration between growers, agencies, governing bodies, wholesalers, and retailers. Their goal is to make farming a profitable, sustainable industry for current and future generations.

To address the challenges of limited processing facilities and high production costs The Dock+ (part of the BC Food Hub Network) in Port Alberni offers a shared 17,000 sq ft. space, with a commercial kitchen. Island Good businesses like Sutra Sauce, Forest for Dinner and Tofino Hot Sauce Co. use this facility to process their delicious goods.

Through cooperation and creative solutions, Vancouver Island and rural island producers are building a stronger, more resilient local food system that supports farmers, businesses, and communities alike.

Supporting local food is more than just a feel-good choice. Every purchase strengthens our communities, boosts our economy and supports a healthier environment.

Next time you shop, consider choosing local. Whether it’s handcrafted jam from That’s My Jam, a refreshing cider from Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, or chips from Taco Revolution, your choice makes a real impact. The Island Good brand is more than a label—it’s a commitment to keeping our communities strong and our food sources secure.

Together, we can continue to support local food, build community connections, and ensure that the rich flavours of Vancouver Island and the rural islands remain a celebrated part of our lives. Look for the Island Good logo and taste the difference of choosing local!

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

Learn more at www.islandgood.ca