Island Good branding is applied to products made, grown or otherwise produced on Vancouver Island. (Island Good)

By Alex Rawnsley

as fresh as it gets

‘They’re getting the flavours and tastes of the Island:’ new market showcasing local first

Jun 11, 2022 | 5:56 AM

NANAIMO — Locally made, baked or grown goods will be on display in Nanoose Bay.

Island Good, a brand developed by the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA), are hosting a market featuring vendors from across the Island on Saturday, June 11 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Arbutus Meadows Farm (1515 Island Hwy. E).

Suzanne Hedges, business development manager for Island Good, told NanaimoNewsNOW they’re showcasing local food producers in one space

“The market criteria is a make it, bake it, grow it on both Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. We know there’s a lot of amazing services provided on the Island, but if you are producing goods, growing goods…that’s where you fit in the space of Island Good.”

It’s the first foray into a market space for Island Good.

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Previously, the brand was used for local food producers to have on their products to indicate a strong, Island connection.

Roughly 40 vendors, live music, plus food trucks and a local brewery will be on site for the first iteration of the event.

“Our hope and our goal is to launch it even bigger for next year. We thought about doing a Christmas market but we’ve got some other cool things in the hopper,” Hedges said.

Entry is by donation to the non-profit Island Good, with money pumped back into helping small businesses market themselves.

Hedges said representatives from major grocery stores on Vancouver Island are also attending to build relationships and offer more local products in local stores.

“When you’re going to the grocery store and you see that Island Good shelf marker, that identifier, you know you’re supporting local. (Tourists) want to be immersed in the culture of our Island and that’s a way they know they’re supporting local. They know they’re getting the flavours and tastes of the Island.”

The Island Good brand itself began around four years ago and is a membership-based program with VIEA.

Small businesses seeking membership are loosely vetted to ensure a strong Island base.

Around 240 businesses use the Island Good badge on their products and it receives support from a dozen Island community partners including local governments and chambers of commerce.

More information on the market, including a full list of vendors is available on their website.

— with files from Jordan Davidson

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