The Comox Valley is one of the richest areas on Vancouver Island. Rich in outdoor activities, rich in beauty provided by some of the most scenic natural sights, and rich in farms that provide us with some of the best local produce and fruit money can buy.
Summertime is the time of year we expect to be able to buy fresh-from-the-farm produce, and our local markets don’t disappoint. Every Saturday, there is a fun-for-the-entire-family Farmers’ Market on Headquarters Road in Courtenay, which sells everything from bison to emu, flowers, crafts, home baked goodies including breads, cinnamon buns and much more. And, along with the music and entertainment, there is an endless variety of fresh fruit and vegetables—all picked fresh from the farm that morning and available from 9 till noon.
If you don’t make the Saturday Farmers’ Market, on Wednesday mornings at Simms Park in Courtenay the Farmers’ Market is all set up once again with freshly picked produce, baked goods and handmade crafts from 9 till noon.
Another way to find the freshest goods is to visit the local farms directly. The following is a list of farm stands that are open to the public during the summer growing season.
Ashprington Farm
5157 North Island Highway
250-218-0142
Open through October. U-pick raspberries through October. U-pick pumpkins in October.
Black Rooster Farm Market
2440 Hardy Road
North Courtenay
250-897-3898
Open daily through October, from 9-5. Huge garlic, potato and tomato crop.
Berry Best Farm
2156 Coleman Road, Comox
250-338-0234
Open Daily 10-5 through September Organic strawberries, raspberries, blueberries. Large variety of veggies from arugula to zucchini.
Devonshire Farm
5147 North Island Highway, Courtenay
250-334-4552
Market open all year. Seasonal veggies and fruits, cukes and strawberries.
Finlay Creek Farm
2731 Rennison Rd., Courtenay
250-223-9743
250-338-8184
Open Friday-Sunday, 10-5
Garlic, peas, lettuce, tomatoes, cukes, beans and more. Handmade soaps and crafts.
Good Earth Farms
7636 Island Highway, Black Creek
250-337-2261 (by appt.)
Uncertified organic produce, free range eggs, strawberries, apples, cherries, arugula, spinach, carrots, beets, Jerusalem artichoke, broccoli, beans, peas, squash, seeds, garlic and more.
Nature’s Way Farm
4905 Darcy Road, Courtenay
250-338-9765
Open daily June to September, 10-6. Blueberries, salad greens.
Pattison Farms
2124 Dzini Road, Black Creek
Open daily through October
Certified Organic. Tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, cucumbers, carrots, beans, beets, greens, summer and winter squash. Also apples and pears.
Sieffert Farm Market
720 Knight Road, Comox
250-339-2988
Open daily through mid-November, 10-6
Wide variety of in-season vegetables. Tomatoes, lettuce, potatoes, fresh corn, onions, garlic, Okanagan and local fruit, beets, carrots, cucumbers and more.
Snapdragon Acres
8668 Lory Road, Black Creek
250-337-8200
Certified Organic. Beans, broccoli, carrots, cukes, kale, lettuce, peas, summer and winter squash, tomatoes and more. Free range eggs.
Watrin Orchard
1507 Philmonte Road, Comox
Open daily through November from 10-5.
Uncertified organic. Produce and high quality fruit and vegetables. Apples, cherries, pears, plums and from own own orchards – 100% natural apple juice.