Run by volunteer chefs this market sources all its products from farms in the Victoria area. You'll find everything from fresh, local artichokes to organic strawberries - from fresh breads and pastry (chef Alberto can be seen delivering his baked goods by bicycle early in the day) to Camille's range of preserved pickles and sauces.
The downtown core has few places to find fresh, local foods so both office workers and surrounding condo dwellers welcome this market. “By putting local products in a downtown location during the week it has really helped make shopping for local food part of people’s regular routine, rather than a special trip to the farm gate,” says Brock Windsor, ICC Market Coordinator. “It’s really a hub not just for accessing local products but also for information about where to find specific things and how to use what’s in season now.” Customers sometimes even come to the market twice a day—once in the morning for a croissant, then later for vegetables for that night's dinner. So, very European.
Now, here's the kicker. The market is non-profit; with proceeds contribute to the ICC’s Farmer Funding Program, now in its fifth year. As a result of the market and the ICC’s major fundraising event Defending Our Backyard, the ICC provided $9,500 in farm infrastructure improvements including a greenhouse, a micro-green operation and fencing for a farming and sustainability education project. Farmers submit applications in the winter and the grant is made available for the following spring in time for the season to begin.
And customers not only love the food products but also love that they are apart of this community by giving back.
Island Chefs Collaborative Market
Open Thursdays & Fridays from 10am- 5pm