Islands Trust Area Food Security Organizations and Farmers’ Markets
Community groups may wish to view our Food Security Funding Opportunities document for possible funding opportunities for food security projects.
Trust Area Food Security Organizations are sorted by Municipality/Local Trust Area:
Bowen Island Municipality
Denman Local Trust Area
Gabriola Local Trust Area *
Galiano Local Trust Area *
Gambier Local Trust Area
Hornby Local Trust Area *
Lasqueti Local Trust Area *
Mayne Local Trust Area *
North and South Pender Local Trust Areas *
Salt Spring Local Trust Area *
Saturna Local Trust Area
Thetis Local Trust Area
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* Indicates Islands with Farmers’ Market
Bowen Island Municipality
A network to promote and facilitate the development of local food systems, agricultural knowledge-sharing and community building.
An annual local food festival which takes place in August.
Denman Local Trust Area
Local food growing initiative.
Promotes vegan-organics (also called stock-free farming), a system which avoids all artificial chemical products (synthetic fertiliser, pesticides, growth regulators), genetically modified organisms, animal manures and slaughterhouse by-products (blood, fish meal, bone meal, etc).
- Comox Valley Farmers Institute
The Comox Valley Farmers' Institute is an organization of approximately 70 members that has been in existence since 1873. Contact Gerry McClintock.
Gabriola Local Trust Area
May to October, Saturday 10 am to noon.
The Gabriola Commons is a grassroots community organization, managed by volunteers, that exists to nourish the social fabric of the community; to ensure the ecological sustainability of the land and assets; to remain in perpetuity as a public trust for future generations; to provide ongoing community service; and to demonstrate democratic and equitable stewardship.
The mandate of Gabriolans for Local Food Choices is to: bring local food issues into focus; encourage local food production and the sale and consumption of locally grown food; encourage community fiscal health through locally grown food; honour the cultural function of food in our celebration of health and life; educate ourselves through an awareness of broad food security issues; earn how food and agricultural regulations affect us; and, encourage sound and just practices that support our mandate.
Galiano Local Trust Area
The Galiano Club has received funding from VanCity, the Vancouver Foundation, and the Victoria Foundation to hire volunteer coordinators for various community food programs. The Vancouver Island Health Authority currently is funding a project focused on gleaning teams, establishing a Farmers' Institution, developing a meals program and hosting an all Islands Food Security Conference.
Food Forever is a component of the Galiano Food Program that brings together seniors and school age children to learn more about the local wild foods, to cook with local foods and to learn computer skills. This includes cooking, foraging, growing, preserving and writing about these subjects.
Gambier Local Trust Area
No groups active at this time.
Hornby Local Trust Area *
A discussion group working to strengthen local food security. Projects include promotion of “100 kilometre” dinners and a 10-acre community garden project.
From May long weekend until Thanksgiving weekend , Wednesday and Saturday 11 am- 2 pm.
Lasqueti Local Trust Area *
Inspired by similar groups on Cortes and Denman, members cooperatively grow organic potatoes on borrowed land to encourage local food security and community collaboration. Contact Jen Gobby or Peter Johnston.
- Lasqueti Saturday Market Association
Organizing and promoting weekly farmers market to support local food security and local economy.
Mayne Local Trust Area *
- Mayne Island Agricultural Society
Has the goal of increasing emphasis on local farming activities and the local farmers market.
Created in 2006 in response to the impending climate changes and the increasing vulnerability of food supplies. Since that time this group has organized eight community dinners with guest speakers on food ways and food security. In September 2009 a two-day Good Life Festival was held on Mayne with representatives and guests from six other islands. And a 10 Kilometer Dinner demonstrated the ability to create a meal composed of 100% local produce.
- Mayne Island Farmers’ Market
July to October, Saturday 10 am- 1 pm.
North and South Pender Local Trust Areas *
Building community garden space through individual plots, shared plots, and community supported agriculture. The project aims to enhance food security, reduce climate change impacts, provide affordable and nutritious food, and foster sense of community.
The Pender Islands Farmers' Institute's objectives are: To improve conditions of rural life, to promote the theory and practice of agriculture and horticulture, to arrange on behalf of members for the purchase or sale of commodities, and to promote home economics, public health, child welfare, education and better schools.
- Pender Island Community Hall Market
Easter weekend to Thanksgiving, Saturday 9:30 am- 1 pm, Tracy Calvert 250 629 6930 (images of the market)
“The Farmland Project” - The purpose of The Farmland Project is to acquire and maintain farmland on Pender Island to be held in perpetuity for the benefit of the community to provide for:
- Sustainable agriculture and enhanced local food security
- Preservation of the unique ecological features of the land
- Education and research
- Other community-centered uses of the land consistent with the objectives of sustainable agriculture, environmental protection and community benefit.
May long weekend to Thanksgiving, Tues, Fri, Sat 10 am- 2 pm, 250 629 3817
Salt Spring Local Trust Area
A key recommendation of the SSI Local Area Farm Plan, the Alliance supports local food production and distribution by linking growers, producers, retailers and consumers. Members organizations of the SSI Agricultural Alliance are: Salt Spring Island Farmers’ Institute, Island Natural Growers- the Gulf Islands Chapter of Canadian Organic Growers, Salt Springers for Safe Food, SSI Earth Festival Society, SSI Chamber of Commerce, SSI Food Security Initiative. The mandate of the SSI Agricultural Alliance is to facilitate the implementation of the SSI Area Farm Plan.
A 110-year old organization that supports farmers in their quest for sustainability and encourages the preservation and development of agriculture on Salt Spring Island through advocacy and education.
A charitable organization dedicated to the health and vitality of the earth through the preservation and promotion of heritage seeds. The organization is a learning centre and network committed to maintaining, evaluating and keeping records for all edible, medicinal and useful crops that can be grown in Canada.
Each Saturday, from April 4, 2009 through the last Saturday in October. From about 8am - 4pm, rain or shine.
A grassroots, non profit group concerned about issues affecting both Food Safety and Food Security. Founded in 1998, Salt Springers for Safe Food brings attention to and lobbies against genetic engineering of foods. We address the need for a GE-FREE growing zone on the island, the need for LABELLING of food products containing GE ingredients and the need to educate ourselves and others regarding the unknown and potential risks of GE foods.
Saturna Local Trust Area
31 Square Saturna Eats is Saturna Island's food network – a community information exchange that inspires events, projects and promotions about local and regional food.
Thetis Local Trust Area
- Thetis Farmers’ Market - May to October
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